MANCHESTER United have announced that Ryan Giggs has signed a one-year contract extension at Old Trafford, which means the 38-year-old will now enjoy a 22nd season as a United player and is committed to the club until the end of the 2012-13 campaign. The Welsh midfielder made his debut for the club in March 1991 and has represented United on 898 occasions while amassing a huge collection of medals, including two Champions Leagues and 12 league titles.
Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Ryan is a marvellous player. In many ways, he epitomises all my teams here at United: he has constantly re-invented himself, adapted to the changing nature of the game and retained that desire and hunger for success.
“In every training session and match, he is the example for others to follow. The young players in the dressing room have a great chance to learn from a player who will continue to break records that anyone in the game will find hard to beat.”
Giggs added: “When I signed my first contract, I never thought I’d be able to play at United for 22 years, but I feel good and I know I can still contribute to keeping the team pushing for honours. Winning the club’s 19th title was a great feeling but this club is all about what we do next and I’m really pleased I can be part of that.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson has played down concerns over the first meeting between Patrice Evra and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez since the Uruguayan’s racism ban.
Liverpool travel to Old Trafford today with Suarez expected to feature after completing the eight-match penalty he incurred after he was found to have racially abused Evra.
The Anfield side, with manager Kenny Dalglish at the forefront, have persistently defended Suarez’s actions but Ferguson shrugged off concerns over lingering bad feeling.
Asked about the usual pre-match handshake between players, he said: “I have not even thought about that. It has never been an issue. We are concentrating on the game.”
Although Dalglish has had no hesitation in speaking out in defence of Suarez, insisting after his side had dropped points in a 0-0 draw at home to Tottenham on Monday that the Uruguayan should not have been punished, Ferguson declined to comment on Suarez’s behaviour.
He added: “We have kept our counsel, which was the right thing to do. We will keep it that way.”