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19 reasons why Ryan Giggs is a footballing legend

We pay tribute to the Manchester United star, who turns 40 tomorrow.

1. His goal against Arsenal

YouTube credit: Jordan Long

2. Gary Lineker played against him

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3. Giggs had been playing first-team football at United for four years when Adnan Januzaj was born

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(Martin Rickett/PA Archive/Press Association Images)

4. His very manly chest

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(Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

5. His Secrets and Skills video

YouTube credit: chongsiu2000

6. His surprise Countdown appearance

YouTube credit: Beanyman62Sports

7. His mentoring of a young Danny Welbeck

YouTube credit: Beanyman62Sports

8. His career provides endless scope for montages

YouTube credit: stevenjvd

9. He has made more Champions League appearances than any other player

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(Martin Meissner/AP/Press Association Images)

10. Even as a youngster, he was scoring incredible goals

YouTube credit: MU FC

11. His emotional reaction to United winning the league in 2013/Ferguson retiring

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(Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

12. He’s a big fan of the current Ireland assistant boss

YouTube credit: RyanGiggsOBE

(From 1.10 onwards)

13. He was around when black-and-white photographs were still being taken

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(Mike Brett/Mike Brett/Press Association Images)

14. His unique celebrations with Incey

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(Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport)

15. Himself and Scholes were a combined age of 75 when they were both in the team at one point

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(Eamonn & James Clarke/Eamonn and James Clarke/EMPICS Entertainment)

16. He was part of the famous Class of 92

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(Eamonn and James Clarke/Eamonn and James Clarke/EMPICS Entertainment)

17. Alessandro Del Piero once famously said that watching Giggs made him cry

image

(Matthew Ashton/EMPICS Sport)

18. The hard evidence for Giggs' greatness

Giggs has made 955 appearances for United since his debut in 1991. He has the record number of Premier League winner's medals -- 13, the most Champions League campaigns -- 20, the most Premier League appearances and most appearances for one club -- 666, he has appeared in the most seasons -- 22, the first player to be named Young Player of the Year two seasons in a row, the most consecutive seasons to score at least one goal -- 21. He is also 19th in the list of all-time Premier League scorers -- 114 goals (168 overall). He has won 4 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 Champions Leagues.

19. Despite turning 40, we still think of him as 'the boy wonder'

image

(John Marsh/EMPICS Sport)

It’s Ryan Giggs’ birthday this week, so here’s a look back at his first-ever United goal>

Is this the worst open-goal miss you’ve ever seen?>

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    Mute Kevin O'Connor
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:07 PM

    He’s not one of those cheating type players (on the pitch anyway).

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    Mute Joanne Byrne
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:24 PM

    Liverpool supporter here but respect to Giggsy. Amazing career.

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    Mute Dexter Gordon
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    Nov 29th 2013, 1:34 AM

    He’s a nobber! That’s Cork slang for a guy who can’t keep his hands off the women.

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    Mute Dave Mac
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    Nov 29th 2013, 12:16 PM

    Those who can…. Do!

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:06 PM

    You’ll never see a footballer have such a long career again. Or win as many League medals

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    Mute Pat Tobin
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:29 PM

    It’s all about he stress relief methods! :-)

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    Mute Brendan Byrne
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:18 PM

    Giggs will tear you apart, again

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    Mute billmitch
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:15 PM

    Giggs is a cheat, and hes muck!!!

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    Mute Bartrude
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    Nov 29th 2013, 12:27 PM

    Youre a clown Bill.

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:35 PM

    Incredible player and a great article hightlights his achievement. Shame players like him and Best never made the world stage for their country.

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    Mute Kevin Carey
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:11 PM

    From a Liverpool fan, Giggs is a class act. Incredible talent, a joy to watch.

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    Mute Not Irish
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:22 PM

    Brother of The Decade….
    Very over-rated, hasn’t made an impact in around 10 years, lucky to be part of Fergusons legacy is all……
    Less World Cup goals & appearances as Gary Breen

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    Mute Michael McTague
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:30 PM

    George best has no World Cup appearances either , what’s your point he played for a country that did not reach a World Cup ?

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:39 PM

    He made an impact last night. He ran the show in United’s biggest ever champions league away win.

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:00 PM

    “Hasn’t made a contribution in 10 yrs” Never mind scoring the winning pen on the champions league final in 08.

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:04 PM

    Good man Leslie, I am sure that poster couldn’t figure out how many years between now and 2008. :)
    Your wasting your time with facts with this chap.

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:31 PM

    ahhahahahahahaha leslie !!! you just got MOTM !! and as for people like that arsehole could every please please stop answering them,i know its hard when someone is that stupid and annoying but the fact is he is a lonely bitter person somewhere and all he wants is to annoy people and get a reaction,better mean human interaction than no human interaction is their mindset !!!

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    Mute Niall Quinlan
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:41 PM

    “Whatever happens around you, don’t take it personally… Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.”
    ― Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

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    Mute Paul Geraghty
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:47 PM

    @ not irish – George Best, Alfredo Di Stefano, Mark Hughes, Ian Rush, Liam Brady, Roy Keane, George Weah, Paul McGrath also all have less World Cup goals than Gary Breen yi dope

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    Mute Gerard Tuohy
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:00 PM

    excellent quote !! though i think it was lost on some

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    Mute micheal285
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:31 PM

    Nothing special about him only his longevity and the lack of respect for his Brother

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    Mute Karol Doran
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:38 PM

    Let me guess. You support Liverpool?

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:43 PM

    Nah, he is an Arsenal fan.

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:46 PM

    I would suspect that clip in point 1 still makes Michael cry, though plenty of Arsenal fans can still admit it was one of the best individual goals seen in the FA Cup and was voted FA Cup goal of the decade by the BBC.

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    Mute James Patrick Smith
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:29 PM

    Giggsy could’ve retired 10 years ago and he’d still have been considered a true legend! To play at the top and have the drive and determination at 40 when he’s won the lot is incredibly and even when he converted from winger to central midfield his football iq allowed him to easily adapt.

    Putting aside petty rivialry all true football fans respect his achievements in the modern game.He will rightly go down as United’s greatest ever player and deserves a Statue outside of the Theatre of Dreams with the other greats

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    Mute Niall Quinlan
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:44 PM

    Great great player, has made vital contributions in every one of his 23 seasons as a first team player including last nights game against Bayer Leverkusen. Would United have become so succesful without him, who knows but they wouldn’t have won the TREBLE in 1999 without his spectacular goal in extra-time against Arsenal in the semi-final of the FA Cup when they were down to 10 men. Has learned to adapt his playing style as he gets older, the Peter-Pan of football.

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:02 PM

    Your also forgetting that with Schmeichels last min pen save we were fooked

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    Mute Niall Quinlan
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:15 PM

    How could I forget that, but thats what made Giggs’ goal even better, Schmeiks got us out of jail, down to 10 men and then that wonder goal. Unforgettble Les !!!

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:21 PM

    Nearly broke a table in me local Dancing on it sans shirt

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:29 PM

    I broke my knuckle when I jumped up and hit the ceiling in the house I was renting! The landlord was living there also and a Liverpool fan, he wasn’t impressed! :D, but he understood where passion in football comes from.

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:53 PM

    Realistically, how much longer can he play? What age was Donadoni and Maldini when they finished? 41?
    I was surprised at how good he was last night, just kept it simple and gave 3 or 4 great passes.

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    Mute Kevin O'Connor
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:20 PM

    Maldini was 41. Donadoni was around 37 I think.

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:40 PM

    I thought he was older, thinking of someone else then, hard to be a centre half at 41 as your pace or lack of at that age would murder you.

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    Mute Charlie Mc
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    Nov 29th 2013, 10:24 AM

    Baresi

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    Mute John Dobermann
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:53 PM

    I only found out recently that his dad is black! Super player, wonder how many more years he will continue for?

    Anyway, number 5, Rachel Riley is hot.

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:02 PM

    LOL aye, and not even born Giggs! :D
    Im sure England are sick they didn’t keep a hold of him, he would have added a totally different dimesion to them and could take a penalty too!!!

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    Mute Aidan
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:23 PM

    He couldn’t play for England, he wasn’t born there and neither was any of his parents or grandparents. Anyways it would be pretty hard to convince a Welshman play for England I’d say!

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:38 PM

    He played for England at schoolboys, and he said he never wanted to play for Wales. Did I say he was eligible to play senior for England? Read what I said again.

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    Mute Rob v2.0
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:40 PM

    He played U16s for England.

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    Mute sportsmad
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:15 PM

    As Ferguson said he’s a freak, nobody will ever achieve what he has, playing at one club at the top level for so long with so much success.

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    Mute Sean Gillen
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:52 PM

    One word “Legend”

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    Mute Féilim MacAnIomaire
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    Nov 29th 2013, 8:01 AM

    I’m already sick to my back teeth of the Ryan Giggs love in. Every thing that’s wrong with football fans can be summed up in the contrast between the perception of this man and Didier Drogba.

    Giggs is a low life who cheated on his wife with his brother’s wife before leaving another mistress out to dry with a super injunction, yet he’s somehow considered a great guy because he’s played for one club all his life.

    Drogba on the other hand is a UN ambassador, has been credited with helping stop a civil war and donated a £4 million contract towards building hospitals in his homeland. Yet he’s a gom because he dived from time to time on the pitch.

    Wake up people!

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    Mute Paul Huston
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    Nov 29th 2013, 8:48 AM

    The love in is because were fans of football, and his achievements in the game deserve recognising as it probably won’t happen again, whatever happened in his private life I’ll leave to the fans of heat magazine. As players there is no comparison between Giggs & Drogba

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    Mute The Artic Monkey
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:36 PM

    He was the Messi of his day. Superb professional

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    Mute Not Irish
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:37 PM

    Michael Mc….. My point was my 2nd sentence READ IT, as another bloke said he had longevity, he just stuck around really & has contributed NOTHING in recent times
    Am I right?

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:41 PM

    If you knew anything about the game then you wouldn’t be making silly statements like that.
    We know your only trolling so unlike other oppossition posters who can acknowlegde a great player then your as well not posting.
    And going by the fact your twitter account is suspended your probably one of the plums who have been trolling the sites all week.

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    Mute Powerabbey
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:47 PM

    No

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    Mute Aidan
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:28 PM

    Looks like you’re trolling yourself YourAuldLady. Commenting on absolutely every United article and replying to half the comments that aren’t even aimed at you? Do you just wake up in the morning and keep refreshing until you find something to comment on? Seriously you must comment 50 times a day, get a life ya moron

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:35 PM

    lol another re-reg! Keep em coming boys.

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    Mute Snug Head
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    Nov 29th 2013, 4:36 AM

    Not Irish. I bet even your own mother is fed up of your nonsense. Cop on to yourself lad.

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    Mute SMcB
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:50 PM

    21. He played with Wales (and Miss…)

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    Mute Francis Foley
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    Nov 29th 2013, 8:36 AM

    I am not a Man U fan but you have to hand it to Giggs, he has had a remarkably long career playing at the very highest level.

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    Mute Conor O Shea
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    Nov 28th 2013, 11:46 PM

    True legend of United and of the game,a fantastic career and a fantastic player,we won’t ever see a player like him again!

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    Mute billmitch
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    Nov 28th 2013, 10:19 PM

    Les and auld lady playing touch willys. #rats

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    Mute Peter Govan
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    Nov 29th 2013, 11:25 AM

    Best player of my generation. Brilliant player.

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    Mute Keith Ormond
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    Nov 29th 2013, 10:16 AM

    Giggs is pond life, his own family can’t trust him he’s not a man
    Over-rated too, 2 European cup?? Clarence Seedorf anyone?

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    Mute Lashes
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    Nov 29th 2013, 1:19 AM

    (19) what he did to his brother !!!

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    Mute Patrick
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    Nov 29th 2013, 1:34 AM

    This is about him as a footballer not what goes on off the field you numpty

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    Mute Fredo Corleone
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    Nov 29th 2013, 11:30 AM

    Over the years I couldnt but help admiring giggs but when all that came out about him and his brothers missus that admiration died ! Of all the birds that are off limits ,your brother bird is a complete no no…he’s a dirtbag full stop whatever he’s done in the game.

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    Mute YourAuldLady
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    Nov 29th 2013, 1:40 PM

    Thanks for that thought Steo.

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    Mute Shane Kearney
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    Nov 29th 2013, 5:24 PM

    He also got a shout out on the Simpsons

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    Mute B4d
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    Nov 29th 2013, 11:34 AM

    It’s a wonderful run from GIGGS!

    Pandemonium

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    Mute Fergal O'Leary
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    Nov 29th 2013, 9:11 PM

    He Deffo gave it to the countdown woman

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Nov 28th 2013, 9:30 PM

    Pic 5. He’s a ringer for Messi

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    Mute Witszend
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    Nov 29th 2013, 2:08 PM

    He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

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