Ryan Giggs has played his final game for Manchester United after confirming his retirement to become Louis van Gaal’s assistant manager.
The 40-year-old, who was handed his debut by Sir Alex Ferguson as a substitute against Everton at Old Trafford in March 1991, made his 963rd and final appearance for United as player-interim manager when appearing for the closing stages of the home win against Hull City two weeks ago.
With the Cardiff-born midfielder having also won 64 caps for Walesbefore emerging from international retirement to make four appearances for Team GB during the London Olympics in 2012, Giggs ends his career having made over 1,000 senior appearances for club and country.
The records and landmarks set by Giggs during his 23-year career are unlikely to be broken, with the player having won a remarkable 13Premier League titles at United.
Giggs has won every major honour in club football, with the exception of the Europa League.
The former winger was also voted the PFA Player of the Year for the 2008-09 season before being announced as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in December 2009.
He now takes up his role as the right-hand man of the Dutch manager, of whom he spoke warmly today.
“This is a fantastic day for Manchester United. Louis van Gaal is a great appointment and let me begin by telling you how delighted I am to be working with someone of his calibre. His credentials are second to none and I’m positive the club will thrive under his leadership over the coming years.”
Giggs also paid tribute to those who have helped him in his playing career.
“I am immensely proud, honoured and fortunate to have represented the biggest club in the world 963 times and Wales 64 times. My dream was always to play for Manchester United, and although it saddens me to know I won’t be pulling on a United jersey again as a player, I have been lucky enough to have fulfilled that dream playing with some of the best players in the world, working under an incredible manager in Sir Alex Ferguson, and most of all, playing for the greatest fans in world football. I have always felt and appreciated your support.
“I want to also give a huge thanks to the backroom staff and support teams we have and have had at Manchester United over the years. I would not have achieved the success I have without your continuing dedication and commitment to creating the best environment to enable the players to thrive. I would not have won 34 trophies in my career without you. I would also like to say a special thanks to my friends and family for all your love and support.”
Giggs took time to reassure fans that the club is heading in the right direction after the unsuccessful Moyes era.
“For me, today is a new chapter filled with many emotions – immense pride, sadness, but most of all, excitement towards the future. United fans I hope will share and echo my belief that the club, the management and owners, are doing everything they can to return this great club to where it belongs, and I hope to be there every step of the way.”
He concluded: “To the greatest fans in world football, thank you, I have loved every minute of playing for you and representing the biggest and best club in the world.”
When asked about his intentions earlier this month, Giggs had conceded that he would consider a series of factors before deciding whether to retire or extend his playing career.
“First of all, does the new manager want me?” Giggs had said. “But also, do I want to put my body through another year.
“Do I want to continue eating the right things or face the discipline another pre-season?
“Do you want to go out still enjoying it and not go on a year too long? These are all things I have got to consider.
“But I think it will be difficult to stop playing and it is probably easier when you have had injury problems.
“I have seen players who just cannot go on and they are not training and just going out for games, but I have never really had those problems, so I have got to weigh up a lot of things.”
Giggs, who met incoming manager Van Gaal in Holland last week, becomes the last of United’s famed Class of 92 to hang up his boots.
