Ryan's Adventures In Europe

Ahead of United's return to Champions League action, we fired some quickfire questions at the club's most experienced campaigner, Ryan Giggs...

What was your first game in Europe?
At home to Atletico Madrid, a good side with players like Bernd Schuster and Paulo Futre. We needed to win well because we’d lost the first leg 3-0 away from home. Mark Hughes scored early on but we didn’t quite do enough to get over the line.

First away trip?
I honestly don’t remember... maybe Torpedo Moscow in the UEFA Cup. We lost on pens, I think, on a wet and miserable night inside a small, old stadium.

Favourite European goal?
I’ll have to go for the one against Juventus at Old Trafford in the 3-2 victory in 1997. That always brings a smile to my face.

Best European night at Old Trafford
I only came on as a substitute for the final 15 minutes but it’s hard to beat Barcelona at home in the 2008 semi-final. That was a special atmosphere.

Best away ground
I’ve played in so many. I like playing in Turkey, actually, because the atmosphere is so good. Galatasaray’s Al Sami Yen in 1993 sticks in the mind.

Toughest defender
Javier Zanetti. When I played against him in 1999 he was a right-back and he had everything – he was athletic, tough, intelligent, good going forward. He was brilliant.