On the day Ryan Giggs made his Manchester United debut - Queen were No.1 with Bohemian Rhapsody, Nelson Mandela had just got out of prison, the internet didn’t exist and virtually no-one owned a mobile phone.
But on Wednesday, appropriately just 24 hours after St David’s Day, Giggs will celebrate the 20 year anniversary of his introduction to footballs biggest stage.
You have to go way back to Saturday March 2, 1991, for the afternoon a scrawny-looking Giggs first came to public attention – as a second-half substitute for Denis Irwin in a 2-0 defeat to Everton at Old Trafford in the old Division One.
But on Wednesday, appropriately just 24 hours after St David’s Day, Giggs will celebrate the 20 year anniversary of his introduction to footballs biggest stage.
You have to go way back to Saturday March 2, 1991, for the afternoon a scrawny-looking Giggs first came to public attention – as a second-half substitute for Denis Irwin in a 2-0 defeat to Everton at Old Trafford in the old Division One.
Two decades on, Giggs is still on top of his game, continuing to produce the very highest quality as he helps drive United’s quest for more silverware.
To put the length of Giggs’ career into context, when he made his debut, only two substitutes were permitted, goalkeepers could pick up back passes and United had not won the League for 24 years.
As the most decorated footballer in United's history, he has won 11 Premier League titles, four FA Cup winners’ medals, three League Cup and two UEFA Champions League titles.
Throw in the odd European Super Cup triumph. the World Club Cup, Intercontinental Cup, Charity Shields and runners-up gongs, and Giggs has won an astonishing 48 top medals, a figure no-one else remotely comes near.
Also, a record number of appearances for the world’s biggest club and places in the PFA Team of the Century, FA Cup Team of the Century and Premier League X1 of the decade and you can see we’re not talking about any ordinary footballer here.
A true legend and one of my heroes, I've grown up watching him with his name across the back of my shirt. You very rarely get a United player liked by most football fans, but Ryan Giggs has been one of those players that only come along once in a while. Long may his illustrious career continue.
