After a staggering 24 year stint for Manchester United, 40 year old Ryan Giggs is set to pass his renowned number 11 shirt to 19 year old Belgian, Adnan Januzaj. Red Devils enthusiasts the world over like Tunde Folawiyo will be waiting with baited breath to see how this promising young player will fare trying to fill such illustrious boots.

Being presented with such a prestigious shirt is, of course, a huge honour and a sign of confidence in this young player, but it will no doubt lead to extra scrutiny as he is compared with his predecessor, one of the most decorated players in footballing history.

On his 17th Birthday, Ryan Giggs received the ultimate gift. A contract with Manchester United, the team that had just lifted the FA Cup. Naturally, he accepted the contract and two days later (1st December 1990) attained many a young man’s dream, becoming a professional football player.

Giggs debuted with the team on 2nd March 1991. He managed to score in his first game. Giggs made the first team later that season, despite the fact that he was aged only 17, under the watchful eye of renowned manager, Alex Ferguson.

By 1992, Giggs had become the Red Devil’s first-choice left winger, and was recognised as one of two of the best emerging wingers in British football alongside Steve McManaman. Ferguson was fiercely protective of his key player, shielding him from the press and only allowing him to be interviewed once he had turned 20.

In a glittering career, which has spanned almost two and a half decades (almost unheard of for footballers these days), Giggs earned a string of accolades, including:

• The only player to have scored goals in 21 consecutive Premier League seasons;
• The most Premier League appearances for a player at a staggering 611;
• The first player to score 100 Premier League goals for Manchester United;
• The most appearances by a Manchester United player.

In his 24 years of play for Manchester United, Ryan Giggs was never sent off the pitch. He was awarded the OBE in 2007 for services to football, and is a shining example to all in the sport.

With Giggs now taking up the role of Assistant Manager at Manchester United and encouraging him to take the shirt, Adnan Januzaj could not wish for a better mentor. Long-time Red Devils followers such as Tunde Folawiyo will be keen to see what the future holds for this promising protégé. Readers can discover more about Manchester United enthusiast and professional Tunde Folawiyo and his recent activities.