SUMMARY
- Ryan Giggs is one of the key players for the success of Manchester United, He led the club to 13 Premier League Titles.
- Sir Alex Ferguson used to believe that Zinedine Zidane is a weak player.
Two of the most significant figures in Manchester United’s history are Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs. The latter led the Red Devils to an astonishing 13 Premier League titles, making him the most successful leader in soccer club history.
Throughout his incredible three-decade career, Giggs made United’s left flank his own. The former player represented one of his most dependable weapons on the field. Giggs has been one of the most trustworthy players for Sir Alex and he was always the go-to player for the Scot.
However, there was an instance where the two did not align when they faced the famous soccer player, Zinedine Zidane and Juventus back in 1996. Giggs said, “I remember the first time I got one of the famous hairdryers of Sir Alex at halftime, substituted at halftime and it was down to Zidane basically and Sir Alex’s team talk was, ‘Zidane, he is finished.’”
Zinedine Zidane: the Juventus diaries. While his legacy was secured at Real Madrid, his legend was built at Juventus. https://t.co/VnI29yyhIg #zidane #juventus #juve #seriea pic.twitter.com/PkzUNuocJO
— These Football Times (@thesefootytimes) December 4, 2017
“I think he was about 26 ‘he’s slow’ no he’s not and if you’re aggressive against him then you can rattle him but what a player and I actually lined up against him in the tunnel and sir Alex had said he was weak but he was strong and huge..and I’m lined up and I’m thinking..sir alex is wrong here but in that game, I don’t think he gave the ball away.”
Not only this, but after the game against Juventus Giggs and the legendary Sir Alex were involved in a slight exchange of words too. Manchester United have been one of the most successful soccer clubs under Sir Alex but he will never forget that night against Zidane and Juventus.
Ryan Giggs reveals the best player he played against
Welsh soccer coach Ryan Giggs OBE, who was also a player, is a co-owner of Salford City. Recognized as one of the best players of his generation, Giggs played assistant manager and temporary player-manager for Manchester United for his whole professional career.
“You couldn’t get the ball off him, he was massive”
Ryan Giggs on Zinedine Zidane
🗣https://t.co/nA8WHqm0TH pic.twitter.com/VpFXrekP5Z— FIFA (@FIFAcom) August 13, 2017
Recently he was questioned regarding the best player he faced, to which he said, “Best I have played against? Or who had the biggest impact on me was Zidane, when I first played against him he was playing for Juventus and he was just amazing.
Giggs was one of the best wingers in his time and many upcoming soccer stars admired him during his time at Manchester United. For him to pick Zidane as the best player he has faced speaks volumes of the quality that the Frenchman possessed in his soccer days.
Ryan Giggs opens up on what happened after he threw a drink at Sir Alex Ferguson
It doesn’t seem like Ryan Giggs loses his composure too often. The Premier League veteran and former Welsh magician of Manchester now has the record for the most league appearances. Even in the later years of his career, he would still be of great use to United since he was a menace on the wings.
With him, they always appeared more favorable. The legendary “hairdryer” treatment from Sir Alex has been inflicted on the former assistant coach multiple times. However, Giggs’s first known outburst against the legendary Scotsman came during a match against Antonio Conte’s Juventus. The Welshman detailed the incidents that evening that caused him to lose his composure in the dressing room in his Daily Telegraph column.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes & Ryan Giggs wait for the presentation after beating Chelsea 3-1 at Wembley as United win their 14th Charity Shield, 2010. pic.twitter.com/ENaOIvZ3nE
— Manchester United Snapshot (@ManUtdSnapshot) August 10, 2020
Giggs said, “It should be said that in the absence of any options my attempts to dribble out of midfield that night were at the less successful end of the scale. My argument with Sir Alex ended with me throwing a drink which hit a kit skip and landed at the feet of my boss. I knew exactly what was going to happen.”
Fergie was known for his stern approach to discipline, and a big part of his success came from his ability to keep players in check and discourage any disobedience. Giggs undoubtedly thought that was the final time his word would ever mean more. That season, United lost both of its group matches against the Italians, both ending in 1-0 losses.