Footballers can't afford to stay still, says Ryan Giggs
Published on: Monday, May 19, 2025
Published on: Mon, May 19, 2025
By: Amardeep Gill, FMT Text Size: Ryan Giggs coaching Malaysian children during his visit to Malaysia to promote Manchester United's match with the Asean All Stars on May 28. Kuala Lumpur: Footballers must not think they have 'made it' after they break into their club's senior team, says Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, the most-decorated player in English football. Footballers should never sit back after making their senior debut. There is always something for them to improve on and better themselves, he said.
Advertisement 'Not only is it hard enough coming up against the opposition but also you have young players wanting your place, coming up behind you, like I was, hungry to get into the team. 'So you can't stand still and you always have to improve,' he said in an interview with FMT. 'Never in my whole career, even in my 30s, did I ever think that I'd made it. I always thought that there was something that I could learn in training, something that I could learn in the games.' Considered one of the best wingers in football, Giggs made his senior debut with United in 1991 and made a club record of 963 appearances before retiring in 2014.
Advertisement He is currently in Malaysia to promote a match between United and the Asean All Stars for the Maybank Challenge Cup 2025 on May 28 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Asked about the necessary qualities needed to be part of United's senior squad and remaining in it, he said breaking into United's first XI was easy but keeping one's place was difficult. Certain qualities were needed: hard work, personality, confidence, and also a willingness to keep improving, he said. Free flowing football Giggs said he is not a fan of the systematic approach to football, in which players take fewer risks. Such an approach sees players constantly keeping the ball and not going anywhere, or seeing a winger passing back when facing their opponent, he said. While a systematic approach meant it was much harder to break down the opposing team's defence, Giggs said 'that's just not my game.' 'I was always brought up with (the philosophy of) taking the defender on 10 times. You might get tackled nine times, but you'll win the game at the 10th attempt. And that was always my mentality.' Witness football history in Malaysia as Manchester United take on the Asean All-Stars – it's the clash you can't afford to miss. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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