Ryan Giggs Interview with MUDSA

Just like the Duracell bunny, Ryan Giggs keeps on going… and going…and going. The Welsh wonder recently chalked up his 600th Premier League performance and his 900th game in a United shirt.

Dubbed “the perfect athlete” by United’s head of fitness and conditioning, Tony Strudwick, many thought Giggs would hang up his boots after helping United lift the Champions League trophy in 2008 – a game in which he streaked past Sir Bobby Charlton’s club record of 758 appearances. Not so. Giggs has seemingly got a second wind after that wonderful night. And boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, recently said Giggs is good for at least another two years yet. Rollin’ Reds got Giggsy to open up (although we couldn’t see any batteries inside) to tell us the secret of his eternal energy.

RR: Did you think you’d have been able to play on at this level for as long as you have?

RG: If I’m honest, it’s not something I think about. You want to play for as long as you can because you’re a long time retired, but you need to keep that same quality that you’ve had throughout your career, which is hard. There’s a lot of sacrifices involved but I’m just lucky I’ve been at United.

RR: As much as other professionals would like to have carried on, it’s more a question of whether they CAN do it, physically. What’s the difference between you and the others? Is it something in your physical make up?

RG: I think it’s a mixture of a lot of things. I think I’m lucky to have always played under the same manager and he knows me and knows how to handle me. Then I’ve played with good players, which always makes things easier. I look after myself and yoga has been a good help. The facilities here at Carrington are superb and I’m always asking questions and testing the sports scientists to get as much as I can out of myself. And I’m lucky in respect I haven’t had too many long-term injuries where a lot of players have had to give it up through injury. Also, I’ve always worked really hard.

RR: So you’re always seeking out the best ways to improve your career…

RG: Every season you always look for that extra couple of per cent that can maybe improve you, that can get you first of all on the training pitch. If you’re training the majority of days that helps you. You have to keep the hunger and enjoyment is a big part. I’m enjoying my football more than ever.

RR: Are you still enjoying it even though you’re not playing as many games as you once were?

I’m not starting as many games as I was when I was 20-25, but I’m still averaging 35-40 games involvement. I might be starting 20 games and coming on as a sub for 20 games. But even if you’re starting as a sub, you still have to prepare yourself mentally and try to do as much as you can for the team. A great example is Scholsey in the game against Southampton, when he played the last 20 minutes but made that little bit of difference that helped us win the game.

RR: Do you think there will ever be a player who plays more than 900 games for one club?

RG: Well, never say never. You have to have a lot of things go your way, like I say, you need to be injury free. There are not a lot of players that stay at one club these days, plus you really have to look after yourself. But the science is there and the education is there for players. If you’re willing to sacrifice things then you can have a long time in football. Whether it will be done again, though, I’m not too sure.

RR: What changes have you seen in the players and the boss over the years?

RG: I think the first thing is that it’s more of a squad game now. When I first started playing, the boss maybe used 15-16 players in a season and now it’s 24-25. It’s a lot more professional now, too, because the education is there, with regards to food, fitness, recovery and supplements. There are things now that you just didn’t know or hear about about 20 years ago. The manager has still got the same hunger and desire. He doesn’t lose his temper as much, but you still see it happen. The experience and success that he’s had has calmed him down a bit and he’s matured. But the manager has always been fair — if you put in a performance and put in the hard work, he’s fair to you.

RR: As you get older do you start to savour the games more because you don’t know how long it will last?

RG: Yeah. I think so. That’s definitely the case. I’m enjoying it more now than I ever have. At 17, 18, or even early 20s, you think that it’s never going to end. You don’t think of the end of your career. You just go with the flow. But as you come to the end of your career you do savour every season, you savour every time you win a trophy that little bit more than if you were younger.

RR: You’ve scored in every season in the Premier League. Do you feel any pressure to keep that going?

RG: You want to score, all the time, and you want to keep the record going. But it’s not something that I really think about. I’m scoring less and less goals, and getting in less and less goalscoring positions. But the main thing is, like at Norwich last year, it’s more about scoring the important goals rather than keeping the record going. I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be dying to score and get it over and done with early on in the season and hopefully I can do that.

RR: You have just played your 600th Premier League game for the club (against Wigan). Do you attach any special significance to these landmark games, or do you just see them as another game you have to win?

RG: It’s something that I’m proud of and recognise as a good achievement. But it’s something that will probably mean more when I finish. I’m constantly looking forward and each record, and each milestone is a proud achievement. I’d rather be celebrating it with a win, and if I don’t I’m gutted and that game might mean nothing.

RR: How was your Olympic experience?

RG: Yeah, it was good. Obviously, I’ve not been involved in tournament football before so it was brilliant right from the start. We took two hours getting kitted out in all the gear, then going to the Olympic village, seeing all the other athletes, mixing with them and getting to know them, it was just a great experience. Then, of course, playing the games. We played at Old Trafford, Wembley and the Millennium Stadium, all grounds that I’m familiar with. It was a different type of atmosphere with a positive feeling.

RR: Has there ever been a time over the past four years when you’ve been tempted to come out of retirement for Wales?

RG: Not really, no. When Gary Speed took over he didn’t ask me as such, but said, ‘have you ever thought about coming back’ and ‘I’d love to have you back’. But the reason I retired was to prolong my career and to be able to give everything to United, which I think I’ve done. If I’d have gone back and had to play in what is now an international break for me, when I’d just get a few days off and then recharge my batteries I think it would have had an impact on my career. I think it was the right decision.

RR: Where are you up to with your coaching badges?

RG: I’ve completed my A-licence, so I’m able to coach. To be a manager you need your Pro-licence. They’ve been having a bit of reshuffle regarding that, so I may do that next summer. The Pro-licence involves things like managing players, agents and media.

RR: Robin van Persie is a huge transfer for United. Is he Fergie’s best buy for United ever?

RG: I think it’s a bit early to say. He’s obviously made a very good start, which is what you hope for. Some players take longer than others to settle but obviously Robin’s been in and around the Premier League for years. United’s the sort of team you settle in quite quickly, with a good team spirit. Whether he’s the best buy, only time will tell.

RR: Were the lads surprised and excited when the RVP transfer became a reality?

RG: The players are like the fans. When you see a big player signing for the club you are excited because it gives everyone a big lift. I suppose we’re like the fans in respect to we’re the last ones to know. Sometimes they know more than us. You just don’t know sometimes. You try to get something out of the manager, but he will rightly keep his cards close to his chest. It was great when it was finally done.

RR: Would this sort of transfer have happened 10 years ago?

The game’s changed now. The power is with the players. If a player makes it known that they want to leave, more often than not the manager lets him. He only had a year left on his contract at Arsenal, so both parties have got a very good deal. Arsenal have got £20-odd million and we’ve got a world class goalscorer. Arsenal might go out and get another striker, but we think we’ve got a good deal.