Legend ... Ryan Giggs's longevity is astounding. Source: Lefteris Pitarakis / AP
Ryan Giggs got on the scoresheet against Queens Park Rangers last weekend. Doesn't sound like much, except that it was in his 999th senior game.
His 1,000th game could come against Norwich this weekend.
Add that to the fact that he has also scored in each of the Barclays Premier League’s 21 seasons.
How good has the 39-year-old Welsh wizard been? Former Old Trafford teammate Mark Bosnich is in no doubt.
"He’s been the greatest player of all time in the Premier League, that’s my opinion," Bosnich told foxsports.com.au.
"He’s the best player I played with."
Giggs, who opened his goals account on May 4, 1991, continues to defy age to perform at an exceptional level for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
And his record, scoring in each season in EPL history, is something he admits he is proud of.
"Yes, it is something I’m proud of," Giggs said recently. "At the time I was just buzzing we were 1-0 up and it was an important goal in the context of the game. It set us off and after that we played some good stuff. But after the game you are proud to have kept that record going."
Bosnich recalls a "very witty, very sharp" teammate who used to "fire the bullets for Nicky Butt" in the dressing room.
And Bozza clearly remembers the first time he heard of the left-footed genius during his first stint at United as a junior.
"I just remember him playing for Salford Boys as a 15-year-old and Fergie coming up and down the hallway saying: 'just watch this boy on the left-hand side'," Bosnich said.
"Apparently after that game - when he was on schoolboy forms for Manchester City - he waited for his mum to make sure he signed for Manchester United."
"I think that will go down as one of the great signings – not only in football history, but sport."
Fergie has been indebted to his golden generation, but Giggs and Paul Scholes in particular have outlasted the rest of their esteemed group.
Question is - how much longer can he go for?
Teammate Rafael paid tribute to Giggs after the game, describing his consistent excellence as so good that it's becoming boring.
"Ryan is an unbelievable player. Every game you see him, he works hard, scores goals and makes assists.
"He is such a good player it is getting boring."
English football scribe Andy Dunn believes Giggs can succeed Sir Alex Ferguson in the manager's office.
"I don't think it is beyond the realms of possibility that he could play on for another season, learn during that time and then have a year or two - let's say Fergie stays around for another two or three years - I think he could go straight in. I really do think that is a possibility," the Mirror journalist told Sky Sports.
"I bet you he is already thinking I wonder if I can go on next year. He has never been one for ceremony but he will be thinking how he can best look after himself for this season and the close season so he can play football one more year. That is the way he operates. It has been an absolutely incredible achievement."
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