Former England manager Graham Taylor says there's no question Ryan Giggs deserves his OBE honour.
Writing in The Telegraph, Taylor said the Welshman is one of just a handful of modern-day footballers who "tick every box, on and off the pitch".
"Talent on its own only takes you so far, perhaps not even to first base," said Taylor.
"Applied talent, which requires a deep desire to succeed and a commitment to dedicate yourself to your profession, is the hallmark of a true professional."
Taylor first saw Giggs in action back in 1991 and immediately recognised a number of winning traits.
"His pace when in possession of the ball, coupled with his willingness to take on defenders, did for all football supporters what his colleague, Cristiano Ronaldo, does now – lifts you off your seat with an air of excitement and expectancy."
But it's not just Giggs' skill on the field that Taylor finds so appealing.
"In this age of 24-hours-a-day football news, when have we read anything about Giggs that would question his professional approach to his career? To achieve what Giggs has achieved over so many seasons requires a mental rod of steel, and along with his applied talent he deserves every recognition that comes his way."
Giggs received an OBE for services to football on Tuesday 11 December.
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Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Carrick: Let's keep it going
Michael Carrick is urging his United team-mates to maintain their Champions League winning streak and finish their group campaign with a 100 per cent record in Rome on Wednesday night.
The Reds have won all five of their Group F fixtures ensuring they go through to the knock-out stages as group winners. Roma have also qualified rendering the final match between the pair a dead rubber.
Nevertheless, Carrick is hoping the Reds, minus the majority of their first team regulars, will leave Italy with maximum points.
"It would be some achievement if we could finish with a 100 per cent record," he told reporters at the pre-match press conference.
"It will give us all more confidence and self-belief as it will be some achievement. The fact that only three teams [AC Milan, Spartak Moscow and Barcelona] have ever won all their group games before is a statement that, if we do it, we are a very good team.
"Wednesday's game is still a huge match irrespective of the situation in the group and we want to keep the momentum going and finish with six wins.
"It was a great experience to be involved in the games last season and it'll be a fantastic experience for the young lads on the trip. We're all looking forward to it."
While Carrick is hopeful of victory, he concedes that it's during the latter stages of the competition when the Reds really need to hit top gear.
"We want to win in Rome, but it's important that we produce on the big stage when it really counts," he insisted. "The squad is looking very strong at the moment and you've seen that whoever steps in to play is more than capable of doing a job.
"It'll be during the latter stages of the season when you need as many of your big players as fit as possible. That's probably the time when the squad will really come into its own and hopefully we can do well." Read more...
The Reds have won all five of their Group F fixtures ensuring they go through to the knock-out stages as group winners. Roma have also qualified rendering the final match between the pair a dead rubber.
Nevertheless, Carrick is hoping the Reds, minus the majority of their first team regulars, will leave Italy with maximum points.
"It would be some achievement if we could finish with a 100 per cent record," he told reporters at the pre-match press conference.
"It will give us all more confidence and self-belief as it will be some achievement. The fact that only three teams [AC Milan, Spartak Moscow and Barcelona] have ever won all their group games before is a statement that, if we do it, we are a very good team.
"Wednesday's game is still a huge match irrespective of the situation in the group and we want to keep the momentum going and finish with six wins.
"It was a great experience to be involved in the games last season and it'll be a fantastic experience for the young lads on the trip. We're all looking forward to it."
While Carrick is hopeful of victory, he concedes that it's during the latter stages of the competition when the Reds really need to hit top gear.
"We want to win in Rome, but it's important that we produce on the big stage when it really counts," he insisted. "The squad is looking very strong at the moment and you've seen that whoever steps in to play is more than capable of doing a job.
"It'll be during the latter stages of the season when you need as many of your big players as fit as possible. That's probably the time when the squad will really come into its own and hopefully we can do well." Read more...
We'll Reign with Rooney
Alex Ferguson reckons Wayne Rooney can be Manchester United’s new Captain Fantastic.
The striker is skipper in Rome tonight and Fergie believes his reign can become permanent in the very near future.
And the Reds boss thinks Rooney can even be a leader of the stature of Roy Keane and Bryan Robson.
Ferguson said: “Wayne has been pestering me for ages to be captain.
“He has a lot of the ingredients needed to be a captain of this club in the future.
“For me he is like a Robson or Keane in his determination, will to win, and the fact that he will never give up."
Neil Custis, The Sun Read more...
The striker is skipper in Rome tonight and Fergie believes his reign can become permanent in the very near future.
And the Reds boss thinks Rooney can even be a leader of the stature of Roy Keane and Bryan Robson.
Ferguson said: “Wayne has been pestering me for ages to be captain.
“He has a lot of the ingredients needed to be a captain of this club in the future.
“For me he is like a Robson or Keane in his determination, will to win, and the fact that he will never give up."
Neil Custis, The Sun Read more...
Monday, December 10, 2007
Park's festive return?
Ji-sung Park could provide United with some early Christmas cheer, with Sir Alex revealing the South Korea international is close to making his long-anticipated return.
Park, 26, hasn't played since damaging his knee against Blackburn Rovers in March but the manager told Manchester United Radio he expects the midfielder to feature in his plans soon.
"Ji-sung Park is now training with the first-team and should be ready in a couple of weeks," Sir Alex said. "He'll be back in the fold in about two weeks' time, I think."
Going on that prognosis, it's possible Park could find himself back on the pitch when Everton arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday 23 December. If so, nobody will be more pleased than the United boss.
"He's a terrific young player and his return will be a great boost for us," he said. "He gives us more options going forward, which is good news." Read more...
Park, 26, hasn't played since damaging his knee against Blackburn Rovers in March but the manager told Manchester United Radio he expects the midfielder to feature in his plans soon.
"Ji-sung Park is now training with the first-team and should be ready in a couple of weeks," Sir Alex said. "He'll be back in the fold in about two weeks' time, I think."
Going on that prognosis, it's possible Park could find himself back on the pitch when Everton arrive at Old Trafford on Sunday 23 December. If so, nobody will be more pleased than the United boss.
"He's a terrific young player and his return will be a great boost for us," he said. "He gives us more options going forward, which is good news." Read more...
Reds' Italian test
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
Unable to beat Coventry City in the Carling Cup earlier this season, United's youngsters will now be handed the task of toppling Italian giants AS Roma.
A number of first-team regulars are expected to be left behind when the Reds fly to Rome on Tuesday morning for the following night's Champions League group match, leaving room for some of Sir Alex's younger troops.
"There's no doubt we'll take some young kids," the manager told Manchester United Radio. "We've won the group and Roma are guaranteed second place, so there's no issue with us potentially affecting the outcome of the group.
"We wanted to give the young boys experience playing in the Carling Cup but they let themselves down against Coventry. Now there's a chance for the likes of Jonny Evans, Gerard Pique, Danny Simpson and Chris Eagles to elevate themselves. We know all about their ability but this is an opportunity for them to prove themselves.
"They won't be on their own, though. They'll have back-up from players like John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Louis Saha, Nani and Anderson. Cristiano Ronaldo might possibly be involved as well.
"We're not in the habit of sending teams out to lose. We'll be sending out a time that we think is good enough to win." Read more...
Unable to beat Coventry City in the Carling Cup earlier this season, United's youngsters will now be handed the task of toppling Italian giants AS Roma.
A number of first-team regulars are expected to be left behind when the Reds fly to Rome on Tuesday morning for the following night's Champions League group match, leaving room for some of Sir Alex's younger troops.
"There's no doubt we'll take some young kids," the manager told Manchester United Radio. "We've won the group and Roma are guaranteed second place, so there's no issue with us potentially affecting the outcome of the group.
"We wanted to give the young boys experience playing in the Carling Cup but they let themselves down against Coventry. Now there's a chance for the likes of Jonny Evans, Gerard Pique, Danny Simpson and Chris Eagles to elevate themselves. We know all about their ability but this is an opportunity for them to prove themselves.
"They won't be on their own, though. They'll have back-up from players like John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Louis Saha, Nani and Anderson. Cristiano Ronaldo might possibly be involved as well.
"We're not in the habit of sending teams out to lose. We'll be sending out a time that we think is good enough to win." Read more...
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