Ryan Eyes New Landmark

Ryan Giggs is on the brink of making his 800th United appearance for the Reds, and it's just yet another reminder of the Welsh midfielder's astonishing achievements as a player at Old Trafford.

Giggs was outstanding in his 799th run-out for United in the 2-0 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday. He will make it 800 if he plays against either Tottenham on Saturday or Arsenal on Wednesday.

“Ryan is the most respected player at the club," said Reds boss Sir Alex. "What he has achieved is an example for everyone.

“When you think of Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda, who played in the semi-final last week, Ryan made his debut about the time they were born! It’s unbelievable. Whatever accolades he gets, he deserves them."

Giggs has won just about all the game has to offer, but so far the PFA Player of the Year award has proved elusive. Sir Alex thinks it would be a fitting tribute if the 35-year-old was handed the trophy at the annual ceremony in London this Sunday.

“I hope [he gets it]," added the boss. "He’s played 40 games this season. The way you use squads today, not everyone plays all the games, very few do. So hopefully he is rewarded for his contribution to the game, and he would thoroughly deserve it.

“We’re a very special club that way, in that players put down there career at a club like us. Being local boys does help. Players like Giggs and Paul Scholes are not in on sentiment, they’re there on ability.”

Michael Carrick agrees, saying that Scholes, who made his 600th appearance on Wednesday, and Giggs are have achieved extraordinary levels of success which he aspires to.

"They're just unbelievable professionals with fantastic talent and ability," Carrick told MUTV. "They are great people to learn from and the perfect example of what it takes to be a winner at this club.

"They're an inspiration to us all. To keep producing over such a long period at the highest level is frightening. Not many people can do that and it speaks volumes for the kind of players and people they are."