Ferguson hails ´amazing´ Giggs

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has described veteran Ryan Giggs as “amazing” and says the Welshman’s performances defy his age.

Ferguson was full of praise for 38-year-old Giggs as his team prepare for their Europa League round-of-32 second-leg against Eredivisie side Ajax at Old Trafford on Thursday, holding a 2-0 aggregate lead.

Giggs, who holds the record for most appearances for United, has helped his team into second in the English Premier League, and Ferguson acknowledged the contribution of the 64-time Wales international.

“It’s amazing. When he went back to Moscow to beat Bobby Charlton’s record he’s played about 100 games since then,” Ferguson said.

“It’s phenomenal. He keeps defying his age as well really. His performances this season has been the same as last season, the same as Moscow. Nothing’s changed really. It’s quite amazing.”

Giggs will make his 900th appearance for the Premier League champions if he plays against Ajax, while United will be without striker Wayne Rooney, who will miss with a sore throat.

Meanwhile, Ferguson dismissed suggestions English football was on the decline after poor performances from Premier League sides in the Champions League.

United and Manchester City were knocked out in the group stages, while Arsenal and Chelsea are on the verge of exiting in the round-of-16 after first-leg losses.

“We’ve had a great cycle in the last eight years, with teams getting to the final and semi-finals,” Ferguson said.

“I don’t see that subsiding for the English sides to be honest, we’ve had a bad year this year – I can only judge myself, and we’re disappointed with how we’ve done.”

“Arsenal and Chelsea had disappointing results, but both clubs have had injury problems, you can’t expect them to get the best results without the best teams.”

“It’s maybe a disappointing season, but we’re not in a slide in my mind.”