Giggs braced for summer of pain

Veteran winger finds pre-season tough

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 3rd July 2008

Giggs braced for summer of pain

Giggs: Not getting any younger

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Ryan Giggs admits that pre-season training does not become any easier as you get older.

The Welshman may be Manchester United's all-time leading appearance maker after a remarkable 18 years in the Red Devils' first team, but he still loathes the arduous preparations which precede every passing season.

The 34-year-old revealed that some aspects of training have become less of a chore down the years, but concedes that his once dazzling pace is beginning to desert him.

"Long distance running gets easier as you get older," said Giggs. "It is just the quicker stuff that is quite hard.

"We started by seeing where our fitness is at and the treadmill test is quite hard.

"That will start to build things up. I'm not really looking forward to it but when you've done it all before, you just use your experience to get through it."

Brilliant

Despite dreading the energy-sapping routines which lie ahead of him, Giggs is still basking in the glory of a 2007/08 campaign which saw United claim Premier League and UEFA Champions League glory.

"Obviously, last season ended brilliantly for the team and for myself," he told the club's official website.

"Although I am not looking forward to pre-season training, it is good to be back."