We want your opinions on Ryan Giggs. Is he the genuine article or vastly overrated? What are his strengths and weaknesses? Is he on the up or on the slide? Share your insight with us and the best comments will form part of his official Times Online player profile.
Whoever put Giggs in this debate needs his head examined. Now David Beckham would be a much more appropriate subject for this topic!!
Bernie Sto, London, UK
I cannot believe this man is even up for debate! One word describes him: sublime!
Paul, Limerick, Ireland
I agree with everyone when they say why is this even a question to be asked. Just watch him play and that will answer this question. You don’t play for Man U for this long unless you continue to dominate and if you’re not great. A legend.
Brian Meador, Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Ryan Giggs is the best player the Premiership has ever seen. Fact. No debate needed. The guy is not only unnaturally hairy, he is ace at footy.
Karl Dixon, Stockton Heath, Warrington
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Giggs is a cheat and a diver. In my view that renders all other discussions on his merits or otherwise irrelevant. Diver, diver, diver.
A M K, Hamilton, Scotland
What a talent, there are not many players in England who are as exciting to watch on the ball as he is. He has remarkable balance, which allows him to turn and twist, dazzling and bemusing the opposition. His pace is electric and he is still playing some of his best football today. A true professional and a great role model for youngsters. I only wish he was English!
Ben Irving, Guildford, England
This question about Giggs is a complete MISS. Who’s next? Maradona, maybe...
Pedro Pinto, Lisbon, Portugal
Ryan Giggs has remained one of the best players in the history of the Premiership and really there’s no doubt whatsoever as to his class and quality. Giggs is one of the most consistent players not only for Manchester United but also in the Premiership and years of playing at one club and going through both the highs and the lows still hasn’t been able to render him ineffective. Giggs is a fantastic winger and his astute mixture of substance with style must be taught to the youngsters in the footballing schools. The Welshman can dribble and can provide class crosses. Though he does lack versatility and is more than just weak in his right foot, Giggs is certainly world class and indeed what a loss it is for the wider spectators in the world of football that we cannot watch him import vibrancy into the international arena. A pity really that he has to play for a very modest Welsh national side.
Subhankar Mondal, Bangalore, India
Hit. Giggs is hot stuff. I’m sure he’ll be retiring in the next year or so and that really breaks my heart.
Alexandra, USA
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I take it you are joking when you ask if Ryan Giggs is the real deal or overrated. The guy has been one of the best players, if not the best player, in the history of the Premiership. You don’t play for Man Utd for 15 years and win 8 Premierships if you’re not a great player.
Norman Kinloch, Newport-on-tay, Fife
The man’s a legend. He’s got a firm place in my Fantasy League team.
Jamie Fleming, London
I think the Brazil manager’s comments in the recent Wales game summed Giggs up. He said he would grace the Brazilian shirt. Also, who can forget his famous goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final of ‘99?
Geoff Radcliffe, Dublin
Ryan Giggs is a player that other players I’m sure want to be when they start their careers. Hard-working with bags of talent, he has played at the highest level with distinction all of his career. Time and time again he has answered all of his critics in the best possible fashion: on the pitch with the ball at his feet.
Aaron Maclaughlin, Loughborough
Whoever chose Giggs to be in this dumb debate should be summarily dismissed on the grounds of woeful ignorance of football. Only a complete noddy or a fivelive female reporter would be so witless as to make a case for Giggs being anything other than one of the best footballers the Premiership has ever seen. It has been our collective privilege to watch him.
Jon Lord, Manchester
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Er...this is some kind of a joke, right? Ryan Giggs? He’s a legend, a world-class genius who has never played on the biggest stage because, like Bestie, the standard of the rest of his national team was never up to scratch. And as far as being “on the slide” is concerned, anyone who has this opinion after watching his recent games for his club, and the Wales friendly against Brazil, is in serious need of an optician.
John Lewis, Tammisaari, Finland
A consumate professional, fantastic role model and genuinely nice bloke. It’s great to see Ryan still playing some great football. It’s a pity he’s coming to the end of his career, the game needs a lot more like him.
Paul Phillips, Sydney, Australia