Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs, Running down the middle

The Law of Denis · 26th September 2008, 15:51

Quote:

Sir Alex Ferguson has called time on Ryan Giggs’s career as a winger, declaring that, from now on, the Welshman would be best utilised as a central midfield player.

Giggs, who is now in his 35th year, is no longer guaranteed a start at Old Trafford but United’s record appearance holder still has a part to play, even if it is no longer as a winger - the position Giggs has been synonymous with since breaking into United's team 17 years ago.

"Ryan has been absolutely brilliant," said Ferguson.

"What we have to do is manage him. We want him nice and fresh at the end of the season because he can decide games for us.

"That is the great quality he has. But I see Ryan as a central player.

"At 34, tramping up and down the touchline is beyond him now."

The Scot believes United are coming good after a sluggish start to the season which has seen the team pick up just five points from their first four fixtures.

Ferguson pointed to the first-half performance in last weekend's draw at Chelsea and Tuesday's Carling Cup defeat of Middlesbrough as grounds for optimism.

“The form of the team is starting to come well. I think we expected that and, as I said a couple of weeks ago, by October we’ll be back to normal I hope.

“There’s been a lot of encouraging signs in the last two games. Some of the football on Tuesday was excellent and the first half against Chelsea was excellent.

"If anything, the players who needed a game showed they needed a game in the second half [against Chelsea] - Gary Neville, Hargreaves, Park Ji-sung, Berbatov. It showed that effectively we were one game behind them [Chelsea] going into such an important match.

“Hopefully we can get the first three home points tomorrow.”

Ever since the 05/06 season Giggsy has been a regular in the middle, the number 11 shirt will leave a very heavy burden..

Solius · 26th September 2008, 15:56

I miss seeing him running down the wing with his dribbling ability, he still has touches of great skill in his game though.

Xander45 · 26th September 2008, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Law of Denis

Ever since the 05/06 season Giggsy has been a regular in the middle, the number 11 shirt will leave a very heavy burden..

Very true but i don't think Fergie, if he's still there when Giggs calls it a day, will have any problem giving it to anyone he deems worthy. Look at 16 for Carrick and 7 to an 18 year old Ronaldo, if a young winger with losts of talent comes through the ranks or into the club he will get the number 11 and be told "make it your number"

Ole_Gunnar · 26th September 2008, 16:13

Should probably be retired.

The number that is.

Trippin_Stoned · 26th September 2008, 16:16

Its weird though, while he might be able to run up and down that left win like the old Giggsy we all know and love. I still think he's better out there than in the middle. Even if its only for cameo's in the last 30 minutes of games.

Oh and I don't think the number should be retired.

REd FUn DevIl · 26th September 2008, 16:16

If that's the case then Park will have more starts on the wings.

As soon as Carrick gets fit again Hargo will play more like a winger too.

bbest · 26th September 2008, 16:24

I thought Giggs was lively in the game against Boro.

101 · 26th September 2008, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole_Gunnar

Should probably be retired.

The number that is.

Never liked the idea of retiring numbers. We should've retired 7 a good while back if we were a number-retiring team.

KingEric7 · 26th September 2008, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbest

I thought Giggs was lively in the game against Boro.

I found his control of the football to be almost arousing. Nani's was also good in fairness.

forrie_x · 26th September 2008, 17:04

You wouldn't think they would retire a number, unless it was a really distinct, high number.
The number 11, as well as 7, provide Man Utd's financial people to market the number and create money. Why else do you think Rooney moved to No.10?

Just wait and see, when the "new no.11" is revealed, the club will make a big deal about it.

Its a smart idea for the club, who are trying to sqeeze every last penny out of its fans, but it makes you wonder why Arsenal gave the No.10 to centre-back William Gallas.

redfromcanada · 26th September 2008, 17:08

Getting back to the effectiveness of Giggs in the middle, IMO, he should be utilized when Scholes isn't available. He is an intelligent passer of the ball and while he doesn't have quite the pace of yesteryear, he can still be effective marking players. Giggs is a considerably better tackler than Scholes too. The only downside is how well he would cope against more physical midfields.

Raven_Blade · 26th September 2008, 17:14

This has all been expected. Giggs played in that role for most of last season anyway. He has the vision and ability to create some magic in the centre of the pitch. It will be disappointing not to see him running down the wing like he used to but thats life. Just enjoy every moment he has left here and do not retire his number 11.

bbest · 26th September 2008, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingEric7

I found his control of the football to be almost arousing. Nani's was also good in fairness.

Yes, and at his age, he's still able to maintain his appetite for the game.

Brilliant.

Brwned · 26th September 2008, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trippin_Stoned

Its weird though, while he might be able to run up and down that left win like the old Giggsy we all know and love. I still think he's better out there than in the middle. Even if its only for cameo's in the last 30 minutes of games.

I don't think the idea is to only play him in the middle, just that he won't be playing on the wing like he used to. He'll be drifting off it constantly, which he's been doing for two years now, and doing it well.

forrie_x · 26th September 2008, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfromcanada

Getting back to the effectiveness of Giggs in the middle, IMO, he should be utilized when Scholes isn't available. He is an intelligent passer of the ball and while he doesn't have quite the pace of yesteryear, he can still be effective marking players. Giggs is a considerably better tackler than Scholes too. The only downside is how well he would cope against more physical midfields.

I understand what yours saying, but putting Giggs in the middle would require an Owen Hargreaves type player behind him playing an out-and-out DM role.
Otherwise, the midfield would be overrun by any other half decent opposition midfield.
Late in the 05/06 season, when an Oshea/Giggs midfield was operating due to injuries etc. Oshea's role was a very defensive one, which was, in my opinion, the reason the partnership worked.

Eyepopper · 26th September 2008, 18:17

I can see it being his last season

rotherham_red · 26th September 2008, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trippin_Stoned

Its weird though, while he might be able to run up and down that left win like the old Giggsy we all know and love. I still think he's better out there than in the middle. Even if its only for cameo's in the last 30 minutes of games.

Oh and I don't think the number should be retired.

Nowhere near mate - Just look at Giggs when he played against Roma in the 7-1, he played in the middle there, and I would honestly hold it as one of the top3 performances of his career...

Rossi19 · 26th September 2008, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole_Gunnar

Should probably be retired.

The number that is.

Retiring numbers is a bit silly IMO, players are honored to wear the number of the club, it shouldn't work the other way around.

Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber · 26th September 2008, 20:56

I'm so glad Fergie has finally seen that Giggs is now best used down the middle. It had been all to clear since the Roma game.

Ole_Gunnar · 26th September 2008, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossi19

Retiring numbers is a bit silly IMO, players are honored to wear the number of the club, it shouldn't work the other way around.

It's Ryan Giggs to be fair. He's more decorated than a MFI showroom. More silverware then that bird out of 'keeping up appearances'.

RedDevil#26655 · 26th September 2008, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xander45

Very true but i don't think Fergie, if he's still there when Giggs calls it a day, will have any problem giving it to anyone he deems worthy. Look at 16 for Carrick and 7 to an 18 year old Ronaldo, if a young winger with losts of talent comes through the ranks or into the club he will get the number 11 and be told "make it your number"

Nani - 11

you heard it here first.

Raven_Blade · 26th September 2008, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDevil#26655

Nani - 11

you heard it here first.

Maybe. But the fact that Nani has 17 now gives us a hint that no 7 is hs preferred number. He may have to wait a while for that.

Whelan_88 · 26th September 2008, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by forrie_x

I understand what yours saying, but putting Giggs in the middle would require an Owen Hargreaves type player behind him playing an out-and-out DM role.
Otherwise, the midfield would be overrun by any other half decent opposition midfield.
Late in the 05/06 season, when an Oshea/Giggs midfield was operating due to injuries etc. Oshea's role was a very defensive one, which was, in my opinion, the reason the partnership worked.

Agreed. The only ever time I've liked seeing him in there was when he's had others around him to do the defensive duties. On Thursday when Anderson and Possebon played behind him he was brilliant just finding space everywhere. He wouldn't be able to play with Scholes for example.

Chirag · 27th September 2008, 09:54

This story upsets me as it tells us that SAF is going to constrict his playing time down to the minimum.. I mean if he isn't going to play him as a winger than either he will be playing at CM or as a Support Striker.. Which means he will barely get any time on the field...(unless SAF does what Brwned said)

As we have: Scholes, Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher & Hargreaves for 2 CM spots..

And We have Tevez, Rooney & Anderson (Though he has barely played there) for the 1 Support striker role..

This is why I hope he plays on the wings...

Also I do not believe Manchester United will EVER retire a number for a player.. IMO We are not the kind of club that would retire numbers.

MadDogg · 27th September 2008, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chirag

This story upsets me as it tells us that SAF is going to constrict his playing time down to the minimum.. I mean if he isn't going to play him as a winger than either he will be playing at CM or as a Support Striker.. Which means he will barely get any time on the field...(unless SAF does what Brwned said)

I don't think he'll play any different than he has for the last two or so seasons. Most games he may be named out on the wing, but in reality he comes inside and plays central a large amount of the time. I think Fergie was simply talking about that, not saying that he'll only be named in actual central midfield/support striker roles.

26th September 2008, 15:56	#2 (permalink)
Solius First Team Regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Playing Connect 4 with Tevez and Anderson. Posts: 10,542	I miss seeing him running down the wing with his dribbling ability, he still has touches of great skill in his game though.

26th September 2008, 16:13	#4 (permalink)
Ole_Gunnar Regular at Boots cosmetic counter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Why do you want to sign Zidane when we have Tim Sherwood?" Posts: 6,563	Should probably be retired. The number that is.

26th September 2008, 16:16	#5 (permalink)
Trippin_Stoned Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,798	Its weird though, while he might be able to run up and down that left win like the old Giggsy we all know and love. I still think he's better out there than in the middle. Even if its only for cameo's in the last 30 minutes of games. Oh and I don't think the number should be retired.

26th September 2008, 16:16	#6 (permalink)
REd FUn DevIl First Team Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: =) Posts: 12,354	If that's the case then Park will have more starts on the wings. As soon as Carrick gets fit again Hargo will play more like a winger too.

26th September 2008, 16:24	#7 (permalink)
bbest The Caf's worst songwriter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: .................... Posts: 8,016	I thought Giggs was lively in the game against Boro.

26th September 2008, 17:04	#10 (permalink)
forrie_x Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MELBOURNE Posts: 587	You wouldn't think they would retire a number, unless it was a really distinct, high number. The number 11, as well as 7, provide Man Utd's financial people to market the number and create money. Why else do you think Rooney moved to No.10? Just wait and see, when the "new no.11" is revealed, the club will make a big deal about it. Its a smart idea for the club, who are trying to sqeeze every last penny out of its fans, but it makes you wonder why Arsenal gave the No.10 to centre-back William Gallas.

26th September 2008, 17:08	#11 (permalink)
redfromcanada Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 690	Getting back to the effectiveness of Giggs in the middle, IMO, he should be utilized when Scholes isn't available. He is an intelligent passer of the ball and while he doesn't have quite the pace of yesteryear, he can still be effective marking players. Giggs is a considerably better tackler than Scholes too. The only downside is how well he would cope against more physical midfields.

26th September 2008, 17:14	#12 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In Man Utd's Defence. Posts: 18,234	This has all been expected. Giggs played in that role for most of last season anyway. He has the vision and ability to create some magic in the centre of the pitch. It will be disappointing not to see him running down the wing like he used to but thats life. Just enjoy every moment he has left here and do not retire his number 11.

26th September 2008, 18:17	#16 (permalink)
Eyepopper First Team Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lowering the Tone since 2006 Posts: 16,938	I can see it being his last season

26th September 2008, 20:56	#19 (permalink)
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber Thus says Kemo Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Football Fanatics Central..Equator branch Posts: 20,870	I'm so glad Fergie has finally seen that Giggs is now best used down the middle. It had been all to clear since the Roma game.

27th September 2008, 09:54	#24 (permalink)
Chirag Redcafe - Euro '08 League Winner Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 2,462	This story upsets me as it tells us that SAF is going to constrict his playing time down to the minimum.. I mean if he isn't going to play him as a winger than either he will be playing at CM or as a Support Striker.. Which means he will barely get any time on the field...(unless SAF does what Brwned said) As we have: Scholes, Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher & Hargreaves for 2 CM spots.. And We have Tevez, Rooney & Anderson (Though he has barely played there) for the 1 Support striker role.. This is why I hope he plays on the wings... Also I do not believe Manchester United will EVER retire a number for a player.. IMO We are not the kind of club that would retire numbers.