Giggs wins players' player of the year award

Manchester United great Ryan Giggs was named yesterday as the English Professional Footballers Association PFA Player of the Year for the first time despite starting just 12 league games this seasonThe 35yearold Welsh midfielder who has enjoyed nearly two decades of success at Old Traford in a career featuring two Champions League final triumphs had twice won the Young Player of the Year award but can now add the ultimate mark of esteem from his fellow professionals to his list of prizes Its right up there with personal accolades its the best to have as its voted by your fellow players Giggs who could win his 11th league title with United this season saidIve been fortunate to win a lot of trophies I won the young player award twice but this is the big oneGiggs has only started a dozen league games this season but has been a squad regular in all competitions with the award acknowledging the respect he has from opponentsIf he plays against Arsenal in the Champions League semifinal first leg on Wednesday he will become the first United player to make 800 senior appearances for the club having broken Sir Bobby Charltons record of 758 by coming on as substitute in last seasons Chamions League final in Moscow where he scored a penalty in the shootout win over English rivals ChelseaBut the thrill of a major match still gets to Giggs even now Its an exciting season he said I think it is going to go right to the wire theres big game after big game nowHe also paid triubute to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who has guided Giggss career since the winger was a teenagerThe manager has been massive in my career from when I first met him when I was 13 Giggs saidThats over 20 years and he knows me better than anyone and our relationship has been brilliant and just gets betterIve been so fortunate to have such a great career in so many great teams its not even worth thinking about what it would have been like without the manager he addedGiggs whose current contract expires at the end of next season said of his future As long as Im getting picked enjoying it and injuryfree Ill carry on as long as I can At 35 you cant look too far into the distance you just cantAston Villa winger Ashley Young was named Young Player of the Year a reward he said for the way in which the Birmingham side currently fifth in the table had performed this season Its a massive achievement for the club and my teammates around me Young said Its a great honour and Im delightedThe PFA Premier League team of the year has featured six United players and also included Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka as well as Portsmouth and England rightback Glen Johnson u00a0PFA Premier League team of the year Edwin van der Sar Man Utd Glen Johnson Portsmouth Rio Ferdinand Man Utd Nemanja Vidic Man Utd Patrice Evra Man Utd Ashley Young Aston Villa Steven Gerrard Liverpool Ryan Giggs Man Utd Cristiano Ronaldo Man Utd Nicolas Anelka Chelsea Fernando Torres Liverpool