RYAN GIGGS is ready to re-enact one of the most famous goal celebrations in history.
It is 10 years since Giggs, the newly-crowned PFA player of the year, skipped past four players on a 60-yard run before smashing in a sensational late goal to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park.
The Welsh wizard was so overcome by the emotion of the occasion that he whipped his shirt off, whirling it round his head and kept running all the way back to the half-way line.
Giggs admits he might just expose that rippling torso all over again if he gets the winner against the Gunners which clinches United’s place in the Champions League final in Rome.
Go on to the internet and signed photos of that iconic image are still trading for a healthy sum.These days, of course, you get booked for flashing the flesh but that will not bother Giggs provided it does not cost him a ban.
Recalling that amazing night in 1999, Giggs said: “It was a great moment for me personally and for the team. It was a massive turning point in the season that ended in the Treble.
“Arsenal are a top, top team. They always have been. Over the years they’ve been our biggest challengers so when you play against them you’ve got to raise your game.
“I will always be remembered for that celebration. I don’t know if I like the picture though because people remember the celebration more than the goal!
“When you score a goal, especially an important one like that, the feelings rise up and you’ve got no control over yourself.
“That’s what football is all about. You never know what’s going to happen next. I used to say I would never do it again but you never know. If you score an important winning goal again in the last minute you might just do it.”
At the venerable age of 35, Giggs remains a key figure in United’s assault on the Quadruple.
He has spent more than 20 years at Old Trafford and his PFA award from his fellow pros is a fitting tribute to a magnificent career.
The Welshman — who could make his 800th appearance for United tomorrow night — is feared by defenders as much as when he carved his way past those hapless Gunners so long ago it was in the last century!
Giggs has cut out the booze, improved his diet and taken to yoga to keep himself in such good shape. There is no sign of him hanging up his boots and why should he when his manager is still picking him?
To think six years ago the United fans were on his back telling him he was past it.
Giggs added: “I remember back in 2003 I was getting a bit of stick and that wasn’t enjoyable.
“It was the first time I’d experienced it, so to win the league and end the season so strong was pleasing for me. It meant I’d got through it.
“Since I turned 30 I’ve been more consistent. During my 20s the odd game I played probably better than I do now but consistently, over the season, I’ve got better the older I’ve got.
“I’ve had to make some sacrifices — diet, alcohol, yoga. I was missing a lot of games through hamstring injuries then.
“It helps that I’m not as quick as I used to be so I’m not getting those hamstring injuries any more and I don’t play as many games.
“Yoga has definitely helped with my hamstrings and also how I feel. I feel good after games and fresh during games.”
The new players continually arriving at Old Trafford also spur Giggs on.
He said: “You get inspired by seeing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and all the younger players coming through. This season it’s been Rafael.
“When I’m playing against Rafael in training and he’s bombing past me, you’ve got to do something about it. It’s not nice but you’ve got to raise your game.
“You know your career is coming to an end and that you’ve got to make the most of it.
“Then there’s the manager’s desire, the constant difficulties of playing for Manchester United and the different challenges that it brings each season.
“When I first came into the team Eric Cantona and Roy Keane had a big influence on me.
“You would see Roy and the manager and you would see the hunger. And you would look at Eric and how he looked after himself during the season. You admire different players for different reasons.”
While Cantona and Keane are long departed, Giggs goes on, trying to make United the first team ever to retain the Champions League trophy. He said: “It is a massive challenge for us. There’s a reason why no team has ever retained it — and that’s because it’s really difficult.
“We had to go to Porto in the quarter-finals when it was a case of backs against the wall against a very good team.
“But we came through and we need two similar performances against Arsenal because they’re playing well at the moment.
“Arsenal can pass any team off the park if you’re not on your game. They are a dangerous side, so we’ve got to be mentally and physically prepared and we’ve got to play well.
“I’ve got to be honest, if you’d asked me when I was 19 or 20 if I thought I’d be playing in a Champions League semi-final at 35, I’d have said no.
“But I look after myself and it helps when you’ve got such good players around you.”
It is 10 years since Giggs, the newly-crowned PFA player of the year, skipped past four players on a 60-yard run before smashing in a sensational late goal to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park.
The Welsh wizard was so overcome by the emotion of the occasion that he whipped his shirt off, whirling it round his head and kept running all the way back to the half-way line.
Giggs admits he might just expose that rippling torso all over again if he gets the winner against the Gunners which clinches United’s place in the Champions League final in Rome.
Go on to the internet and signed photos of that iconic image are still trading for a healthy sum.These days, of course, you get booked for flashing the flesh but that will not bother Giggs provided it does not cost him a ban.
Recalling that amazing night in 1999, Giggs said: “It was a great moment for me personally and for the team. It was a massive turning point in the season that ended in the Treble.
“Arsenal are a top, top team. They always have been. Over the years they’ve been our biggest challengers so when you play against them you’ve got to raise your game.
“I will always be remembered for that celebration. I don’t know if I like the picture though because people remember the celebration more than the goal!
“When you score a goal, especially an important one like that, the feelings rise up and you’ve got no control over yourself.
“That’s what football is all about. You never know what’s going to happen next. I used to say I would never do it again but you never know. If you score an important winning goal again in the last minute you might just do it.”
At the venerable age of 35, Giggs remains a key figure in United’s assault on the Quadruple.
He has spent more than 20 years at Old Trafford and his PFA award from his fellow pros is a fitting tribute to a magnificent career.
The Welshman — who could make his 800th appearance for United tomorrow night — is feared by defenders as much as when he carved his way past those hapless Gunners so long ago it was in the last century!
Giggs has cut out the booze, improved his diet and taken to yoga to keep himself in such good shape. There is no sign of him hanging up his boots and why should he when his manager is still picking him?
To think six years ago the United fans were on his back telling him he was past it.
Giggs added: “I remember back in 2003 I was getting a bit of stick and that wasn’t enjoyable.
“It was the first time I’d experienced it, so to win the league and end the season so strong was pleasing for me. It meant I’d got through it.
“Since I turned 30 I’ve been more consistent. During my 20s the odd game I played probably better than I do now but consistently, over the season, I’ve got better the older I’ve got.
“I’ve had to make some sacrifices — diet, alcohol, yoga. I was missing a lot of games through hamstring injuries then.
“It helps that I’m not as quick as I used to be so I’m not getting those hamstring injuries any more and I don’t play as many games.
“Yoga has definitely helped with my hamstrings and also how I feel. I feel good after games and fresh during games.”
The new players continually arriving at Old Trafford also spur Giggs on.
He said: “You get inspired by seeing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and all the younger players coming through. This season it’s been Rafael.
“When I’m playing against Rafael in training and he’s bombing past me, you’ve got to do something about it. It’s not nice but you’ve got to raise your game.
“You know your career is coming to an end and that you’ve got to make the most of it.
“Then there’s the manager’s desire, the constant difficulties of playing for Manchester United and the different challenges that it brings each season.
“When I first came into the team Eric Cantona and Roy Keane had a big influence on me.
“You would see Roy and the manager and you would see the hunger. And you would look at Eric and how he looked after himself during the season. You admire different players for different reasons.”
While Cantona and Keane are long departed, Giggs goes on, trying to make United the first team ever to retain the Champions League trophy. He said: “It is a massive challenge for us. There’s a reason why no team has ever retained it — and that’s because it’s really difficult.
“We had to go to Porto in the quarter-finals when it was a case of backs against the wall against a very good team.
“But we came through and we need two similar performances against Arsenal because they’re playing well at the moment.
“Arsenal can pass any team off the park if you’re not on your game. They are a dangerous side, so we’ve got to be mentally and physically prepared and we’ve got to play well.
“I’ve got to be honest, if you’d asked me when I was 19 or 20 if I thought I’d be playing in a Champions League semi-final at 35, I’d have said no.
“But I look after myself and it helps when you’ve got such good players around you.”