Sir Alex Ferguson says the evergreen Ryan Giggs is a more cunning player now.
Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed Ryan Giggs for his longevity, stating the winger is now a more 'cunning' player than when he first burst onto the scene at Old Trafford.The Wales captain is a veteran of all eight of United's Premiership title victories under Ferguson, and remarkably remains as crucial as ever to the Scot's hopes of ongoing glory with The Red Devils.
Despite approaching his 33rd birthday, Giggs has been a key performer for United in their charge to the summit of The Premiership, and Ferguson believes that with experience has come a new 'cunning' that enables the midfielder to further manipulate opposition defences.
No player has won as many trophies at United as the livewire winger, and his manager has praised Giggs for the way in which he has maintained his quality by living the correct lifestyle.
"Ryan has added the bit of cunning to his game that experienced players have," said Ferguson.
"Defenders find it difficult to pick him up because he takes them into areas they don't want to be in.
"Players do tend to get more consistency as they get older. They know themselves better and Ryan has never changed his lifestyle.
"He has always kept his feet on the ground. By living the right way and playing the game the right way, he is able to last longer and we are getting the benefit of that."
Giggs can be sure of starting for United in Saturday's game against Sheffield United, and in the build-up to the clash Blades boss Neil Warnock has heaped praise of Ferguson.
The Bramall Lane chief has described the legendary Scot as 'the godfather' of British managers, and Ferguson has now replied with some kind words of his own - defending Warnock for the touchline passion which has often landed him in hot water.
"Neil is passionate about his club," said Ferguson.
"He is a Sheffield United supporter, so he is bound to be proud managing the club. There is nothing wrong with that.
"He is an outgoing character and a bit controversial at times but like every other club coming out of The Championship, his team will be fighting for points, as they have every right to do.
"When you look at the bottom of the league, there are eight or nine teams down there all within two or three points of each other.
"It must give them optimism they can stay up."
On the same day Ferguson has praised Giggs for his enduring quality at United, the Scot has chosen to cut one of his youngsters loose with David Jones signing for Championship side Derby.
Now the Red Devils boss has explained that despite Jones' quality, his contractual situation and the strength in depth at Old Trafford meant it made sense to allow him to leave United in search of regular football.
"It was a difficult one because I feel David is going to be a good player.
"But his contract was up in the summer, which created a bit of a problem.
"Central midfield is not a bad position for us with Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Kieran Richardson and also Darron Gibson, who played for Ireland Under-21s on Tuesday, and Ritchie Jones, who is at Colchester just now.
"We had to be fair to David. Now he has a chance to get his career off the ground with regular first-team football. I am confident he will do well."
