The Scarlett Speedster

They say death and taxes are perhaps the only two certain things in this world; constants rather. Until the 2^nd of July 2016, I believed there was something else that was constant – A certain Ryan Giggs at Manchester United. Most people find it very difficult to conceive of what had existed or how the world was before they were born. For me, to think about a Manchester United without Giggs poses the same degree of difficulty. He was there, he was ALWAYS there - that lean fellow in red with the prominent cheek bones - ever since I started supporting this wonderful football club. Just like “The Flash” who was granted his superhuman powers by “The Speedforce”, there was something about the red jersey that Giggs wore which gave him legendary abilities. Yes. Manchester United was his speed force. The club had become a part of him more than he, a part of the club. He was OUR scarlet speedster.

When Sir Alex signed up a young Ryan Wilson for his youth side, he was just a gangly teenager of 14, pacey and skillful. The pink faced, gum chewing behemoth in football management was to instill in him steadfast team ethics and phlegmatic temperament that would eventually let young Ryan Wilson evolve into Ryan Giggs, the most successful British player.

The fact that he was the first of the class of 92 to sign for Manchester United and the last one to leave, speaks a lot about his longevity. For a fan, the iridescent reminiscences of a curly haired winger wreaking havoc on the left flank season after season OR the brilliant passing and vision showcased by a man in his mid30s OR the steady presence of Giggs in the dugout from which you could draw some solace after Sir Alex’s retirement are all equally special. Oh Giggsy!! When you were tearing their defenses apart, you were in fact knitting together the shredded dreams and aspirations of the Old Trafford faithful. 

When Sir Alex saw him on the football pitch for the first time he remarked “He just floated over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind” and rightfully so. It wasn’t just his visage that made him particularly suited for commercial endorsements and posters. It was his talent rather; his speed, balance and his ridiculous twisting and turning on the left flank that made him popular. His ability to create magic with the ball at his feet would’ve earned him the status of a legend even if he had looked like a troll. Goals and assists were born from those magical feet of his, some so majestic that they took your breath away. Although the favourite Giggs moment for many fans would be that wonder goal in the FA cup semi-final where he cut out a stray pass from Viera in his own half, sprinted through the length of the pitch and scored past a bewildered David Seaman yet the description of a few wonder goals or a few stellar performances will hardly do any justice to the great talent that Giggs was. The legacy that he is leaving behind -  of 963 games, 22 consecutive premier league seasons, 12 premier league titles and countless other personal accolades – will be onerous for anyone else to emulate. 

Football has evolved in many ways since Ryan Giggs made his Premier League debut. The current landscape is one in which Chinese clubs can spend ridiculous amounts of money to sign big names, Memphis Depay can come third just behind Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (in terms of jersey sales that is) and some other player can throw tantrums and make headlines because his birthday celebrations weren’t impressive enough. But when the curtain finally falls, no one is going to care who u had affairs with or what your favourite brand of clothing line was. All they’re going to remember is how good you were, and Ryan Giggs, the most decorated player in English football, was very, very good.

Some leaders are born, some are made and there are a few others who simply outlast everyone else. In his 29 years at Manchester United, Ryan Giggs had seen it all, won it all. So it was only natural that when the colossal figure of Sir Alex decided to step down, the heads automatically turned towards Ryan Giggs. This, perhaps, is his greatest achievement as a Manchester United thoroughbred: The fact that everyone regards him as the natural successor to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Today, United has at its helm another big name. While his CV speaks for himself, Jose Mourinho is a born winner and one of the best in business. His track record as a manager and the countless trophies he has won during his spells at major clubs surely gives him an edge over Giggs for the post of United manager. However, though the parting words of Giggs - “It’s time for a new chapter and a new challenge. I’m excited about the future - I’ve had the best apprenticeship into management anyone could ever ask for.” - may seem like a goodbye to many, for a fan who grew up watching him, they may only seem like a promise; A reassurance that when the time comes, the rightful heir will eventually step into the mantle that the great Sir Alex left behind.