Manchester United legend Giggs turns 43 today, giving us the chance to remind you why Red Devils fans love the Welsh winger so much.
Here are 10 of the best goals of his storied career…
This goal was so good, Manchester United fans have a song dedicated to it. Latching on to a tired pass from Patrick Vieira, Giggs ran from inside his own half, beating five Arsenal players before sending a thunderous strike past Arsenal keeper David Seaman. United would go on to win the FA Cup and a historic Treble.
Stealing a wayward opposition pass, running a great length, leaving multiple defenders in his wake and slamming home an unstoppable strike; sound familiar? Five years before his goal against Arsenal, Giggs gave QPR a sneak preview. Rangers defenders were left embarrassed as Giggs completed his mazy run with a fine finish.
This is one from even earlier in the archives. Young Giggs was known for his pace and trickery, and both were on display in this goal against Spurs. Sprint, nutmeg, knock past the keeper, finish with aplomb from an acute angle – vintage Giggs.
Giggs will always have fond memories of the Manchester Derby, having opened his Manchester United account against the noisy neighbours when they were a lot quieter back in 1991. This goal from 1996 was among the best he’s scored. Receiving a pass from Eric Cantona, Giggs let fly with his left foot with an unstoppable shot which gave the keeper no chance.
In a match featuring the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Alessandro Del Piero, and David Beckham, Giggs stole the show with this powerful strike to put Manchester United 3-1 up in the dying minutes. The Welsh wizard sprinted to latch-on to a through ball before putting a fantastic finish past Juventus skipper and keeper Angelo Peruzzi.
Manchester United vs Leeds was a fierce derby not so long ago, and Giggs had a ball against the Whites. The United winger led Leeds defenders on a merry dance with a neat jig and a burst of pace before playing a one-two with fellow Welshman, Mark Hughes. Sprinting on to the return pass, Giggs lifted the ball over the keeper.
It’s 2005 and Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are in the ascendancy, but Giggs made sure Manchester United gave the Blues a tough fight in the second-leg of their Carling Cup semi-final. Giggs produced a sublime first-time flick from Gary Neville’s chipped cross to level the scores. Unfortunately for United, Chelsea would go on to win the game. Skip ahead to the 6:18 mark for Giggs’ goal.
One of Giggs’ favourite opponents and one of his favourite ways to score. Providing an encore to his famous goal against Arsenal, Giggs latched onto a wayward pass before running past two Juventus defenders and providing a smart finish with his weaker right foot past Gianliugi Buffon. Catch it at the 0:54 mark.
A Ryan Giggs header? Yup, he can do that too. Giggs’ amazing leap saw him get on the end of a trademark David Beckham cross before scoring with a superb header in a wild game against Barcelona. Giggs’ flying effort is at the 1:10 mark of the video.
Giggs’ time at United coincided with that of two of the world’s best free-kick takers, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. But he was no slouch himself. The winger took over this dead-ball situation despite the angle seemingly not suiting a left-footer. No matter: Giggs’ stunning free kick flew into Carlo Cudicini’s far corner.
