Ryan Giggs aims to stay at top table

Giggs was persuaded to keep faith with his ageing limbs and the end result is a path that is now leading towards the remarkable milestone of 1,000 competitive appearances for club and country.

In Amsterdam on Thursday evening, against Ajax in the Europa League, the 38 year-old is set to play his 900th game for United. Throw in 64 appearances for Wales, and five Under-18 and Under-21 caps, and Giggs will then stand on 969 career games – so 1,000 is genuinely within reach.

“Yeah, I suppose it is,” Giggs said. “If I finish this season well and play a lot next season, I should do it, which would be great because not many have done that. Wingers certainly don’t do that very often! If I did it, it would be another thing to be proud of and to cherish.”