Giggs to sign up for 18th season
Only three weeks after Giggs confirmed tentative talks had begun over an extension to his present deal, which was due to expire in the summer, negotiations have reached a successful conclusion.
Not only does it mean the 33-year-old will get the chance to add yet more medals to a haul which already includes nine Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League success in 1999, it is now virtually certain he will surpass Sir Bobby Charlton’s club appearance record.
Currently 32 adrift of the England World Cup winner, Giggs could even break the record before the current campaign is out — should his fitness hold up. If the former Wales captain continues to feel as good as he does, his new contract may not represent the end of his stay at United.
“I am enjoying football more than ever and I hope to carry on playing football for Manchester United for as long as I can,” he said.
Only once in all his time at United has Giggs fallen badly out of favour with the Red Devils faithful. When he was booed during a League Cup semi-final with Blackburn at Old Trafford in January 2003, it appeared his time at United was drawing to an end. Instead, Giggs rallied and went on to enjoy what — in his eyes — was his best season as a pro.
Although the Cardiff-born player accepts he will probably be used more sparingly by Alex Ferguson over the coming years, his retirement from international football at the end of last season has helped keep some of the freshness in his legs.
After resting during the current break, Giggs will be one of the men Ferguson will look to when the champions try to extend their six-match winning streak in the Barclays Premier League at Aston Villa on Saturday.
“Ryan Giggs epitomises the word loyalty,” said Ferguson.
“He signed here as a 14-year-old schoolboy and is still with the club 20 years on.”
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