The life of Ryan: 608 games, all the medals, still looking ahead

So when Sir Alex Ferguson clocks up a mind-boggling 1,000 games in charge of United on Tuesday night with the Champions League visit of Lyons, Giggs won’t be reminiscing about the part he has played. If selected, he’ll have his head down trying to get the job done.

That is how it has always been for this dynamic Welsh winger, whose inherent honesty comes in handy at moments like this as he tries to get back in the team following a spell below par. If the form book runs true the exile shouldn’t last long. Giggs, with a rare level of dedication, has made an incredible 608 appearances under Ferguson’s reign.

And all this, don’t forget, from an out-and-out winger who is expected to forage up and down the flank with unflagging verve; protect his full-back, attack his defender in a constant effort to be creative every week.

Any shortfall in standards and his manager, from day one, has never hesitated to let rip with the famous hairdryer. ‘‘The gaffer’s always felt that I’m the type that needs a bollocking,’’ Giggs said this week without so much as a wince. ‘‘Even when I was young he used to get stuck in. I think he’s always felt that it’s the best way to handle me.’’

With the passing of time those legendary tirades have eased off a bit as Ferguson’s methods adjust to the climate.

‘‘He has changed a lot,’’ Giggs said. ‘‘His whole approach to players now is different. When I was an apprentice, he could really lay into young lads if the performance was bad. I don’t see that as much anymore. I mean, the youngsters don’t have jobs to do, they don’t clean your boots. The whole culture is different and the manager has had to change with the times.

‘‘When I was coming through with the likes of Butty, Nev, Becks, he would come to youth team matches and have a right go. He still goes to those matches of course and says something if they’re not playing well, but you need to be a little bit more careful these days with what you say. The gaffer has mellowed, there’s no two ways about it, but his desire to win and succeed is definitely still there.’’

As far as being dropped is concerned, Giggs, 31 at the end of this month, isn’t getting overly worked up. He accepts that he hasn’t hit the high notes he is capable of reaching. ‘‘Five years ago, my mental attitude would have been totally different. That just comes through experience. I know that when I’m fit and playing well I’m going to be in the team — simple as that. I now look on it as a positive, a rest rather than being dropped.

Despite the quiet start, Giggs confesses to being a little surprised when United only offered a one-year extension to his contract recently. The offer was sent back for further consideration. ‘‘It’s not as if we’re at odds or anything. I’ve still got 18 months to go. We’ve only had one meeting, but it would be nice to have a bit more security.’’

Nevertheless, he doesn’t kid himself on. Sentiment has no place up Sir Matt Busby Way. Giggs knows full well that he will have to alter his game slightly if he is to end his career at the Theatre of Dreams. ‘‘In my mid-30s I obviously won’t have the pace I had when I was 25. I can’t always be an out-and-out left winger. It’s a question of tucking in, being comfortable and effective in a more central role.’’

For the time being, however, all United eyes are focused on pegging back Chelsea’s 11-point lead at the top of the table. Ferguson openly doubts himself that the gap can be breached. For the second year running the Premiership title could be heading elsewhere.

‘‘We need to go on a run now and win maybe eight of the next 10 games. Anything can happen. We’ve already played a lot of our tough games whereas the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea have still got to play each other.’’

United’s next five fixtures, incidentally, run like this: Charlton Saturday, West Bromwich Albion, Southampton, Fulham and Crystal Palace follow. The significance isn’t lost on anyone at Old Trafford. ‘‘Yeah, we’ll be expected to win at least four of those but that’s been our downfall — the games we’re expected to win. But when this club goes on a roll, it’s very hard to stop. We are capable of doing it.’’

Though he would blush at the thought, Giggs is without doubt a modern day phenomenon. Thirteen years and counting at the world’s richest club — an incredible record in anyone’s book. Just like his manager’s, the Welshman’s longevity deserves celebration.

(The Daily Telegraph)