Reds boss: Giggs eclipses Maldini
Date published: 23 February 2012
SIR Alex Ferguson believes Ryan Giggs’ astonishing career even eclipses that of legendary Italian Paolo Maldini.
The evergreen Manchester United man will be making his 900th appearance if he plays some part in tonight’s Europa League last–32 encounter with Ajax at Old Trafford.
Few come close to being such a star performer, at such a high level, for such a long time.
The immediate comparison is with Maldini.
His first–team career with AC Milan spanned 24 years and he made 902 appearances, before he quit, in 2009, a month before his 41st birthday.
“Obviously Maldini was a magnificent player but there is a distinction,” said the United boss.
“Maldini was a defender and although in his case, he probably put in a lot of running as a full–back, wide players have more work to do.
“It is amazing really. If you go back to Moscow, you are talking almost another 150 games further on.”
Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of tonight’s game — United hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg — with a sore throat.
