Ferguson hails 'fantastic' Giggs

Welshman equals Charlton's appearance record

Last updated: 11th May 2008

Ryan Giggs Manchester United Premier League Football Wigan

Giggs: United legend

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes it was fate that Ryan Giggs scored the goal which effectively sealed the Premier League title.

Giggs came off the bench to hit United's second in the 2-0 away victory over Wigan which handed the Red Devils the three points they required to successfully defend their top-flight title.

The outing at the JJB Stadium allowed Giggs to equal Sir Bobby Charlton's 758 game United appearance record and the Welshman now looks set to surpass that tally in the UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea on 21st May.

And Ferguson has hailed the influence of Giggs now that the pair have won 10 Premier League titles together at United.

"It is fantastic for Ryan to get the goal that matters. Maybe it is fate," said Ferguson.

Fantastic

"He deserves it. I have known him for 20 years and he has been a credit to the game.

"For him to equal the record then to get the goal that wins the title is just fantastic."

Meanwhile, Charlton has joined Ferguson in praising Giggs and insists the 34-year-old deserves to break his record.

"He's fantastic," Charlton said. "He's a great athlete, a great person, a great footballer and nobody deserves to break records like he does.

"His record with Manchester United is unbelievable and I'm really proud of him."