Football Further

Posts Tagged ‘Ryan Giggs’

“Villa threatened to spoil things when Christian Benteke side-footed over from Andreas Weimann’s pass, only for Robin van Persie to double United’s lead with a strike to rival any goal scored in Europe this season. Wayne Rooney floated a 40-yard pass behind the Villa defence and van Persie met the ball first-time with a technically immaculate volley from outside the box that rocketed past goalkeeper Brad Guzan and into the net.”

My AFP match report from Old Trafford on the 3-0 victory over Aston Villa that gave Manchester United their 20th league title can be read here.

Reaction: Ferguson sees echoes of greatness in van Persie rocket
Analaysis: Manchester United’s championship of contrasts

“MANCHESTER — Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive goal as Real Madrid controversially came from behind to win 2-1 at Manchester United on Tuesday and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.”

My AFP match report on Manchester United’s contentious defeat by Real Madrid can be read here. You can also read a reaction piece: Dumbstruck United get Mourinho’s sympathy.

“LONDON — Chelsea claimed partial revenge for their stormy loss to Manchester United at the weekend by prevailing 5-4 when the teams resumed hostilities in an end-to-end fourth-round League Cup tie on Wednesday.”

My round-up of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup fourth-round matches, including an extraordinary encounter at Stamford Bridge, can be read here.

“LISBON — Manchester United were indebted to a superb Ryan Giggs goal as they drew 1-1 with Benfica on Wednesday despite a below-par performance in their Champions League Group C opener.”

You can read my AFP match report here.

“GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Manchester United produced a devastating attacking performance to record a 2-0 win over Schalke 04 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.”

Read my AFP match report here.

Ryan Giggs today celebrates his 36th birthday, the day after scoring his 100th Premier League goal in Manchester United’s 4-1 victory at Portsmouth. It would be remiss not to mark the occasion.

The Welshman has enjoyed four or five careers within a career in his 18 years as a professional player, from boy wonder, to international superstar, to model professional, to elder statesman. His hair may now be flecked with grey but England’s most decorated footballer has arrived at a moment in his football development where his every touch is characterised by a serene sense of awareness, almost as if he is playing in slow-motion.

Nowhere was this more evident than in his superb second-half performance at Fratton Park yesterday, where he set up two goals for Wayne Rooney – who described his team-mate’s contribution as “truly incredible” - before reaching his goalscoring milestone with a well-placed free-kick.

It has not always been like this. There were times in his career when his inconsistency was maligned to such an extent that many United fans wondered aloud if his best days might already be behind him. It is to his credit that he rode out that rough spell and to watch him today is to behold the work of a true craftsman.

It will be a sad day indeed when he leaves the field for the final time. That that day moves closer with every match he plays makes these final virtuoso performances all the more poignant.