Ryan Giggs Awarded PFA Player Of The Year

27 April 2009

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Manchester United's Ryan Giggs was named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year for the first time, despite only starting 12 league games this season.

Over his career the Welshman has won numerous trophies, including 10 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions League winner's medals and two PFA young player awards but he had never won the PFA award. Giggs beat team-mates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar as well as Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

The 35 year old made his League debut against Everton at Old Trafford in March 1991 aged 17 and, if he plays against Arsenal in Manchester United's Champions League semi-final first-leg on Wednesday, it will be his 800th club appearance.

Giggs told the BBC: "It's right up there with personal accolades - it's the best to have as it's voted by your fellow players. I've been fortunate to win a lot of trophies, I won the young player award twice, but this is the big one."

Giggs paid tribute to his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson saying: "The manager has been massive in my career from when I first met him when I was 13," Giggs said. "That's over 20 years and he knows me better than anyone and our relationship has been brilliant and just gets better."

Aston Villa forward Ashley Young took the Young Player of the Year award beating his team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor, Manchester United duo Jonny Evans and Rafael Da Silva, Aaron Lennon of Spurs and Manchester City's Stephen Ireland.

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