Fergie backs Giggs for belated award

Alex Ferguson wants to see his veteran Ryan Giggs reach a double milestone this weekend with his 800th Manchester United appearance followed by the PFA?s Player of the Year Award.

Giggs, 35, can reach the remarkable 800-game landmark when United aim to move a step closer the Premier League title against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

Twenty-four hours later, the players? union announce their choice as Player of the Year, an accolade which Giggs has never collected during one of the most illustrious careers in the history of British football.

“I hope he wins it,” said Ferguson. “I think he has played 31 games this season, which the way you use your squad today, is good. So, hopefully, he is rewarded for his contribution to the game and he thoroughly deserves it.

“In Moscow, after the Champions? League Final, the players made a presentation to him and it was very emotional and represented how the players feel about the boy.

“He is the most respected player in the club because of what he has achieved and he is an example to anyone. When you think of (Frederico) Macheda and (Danny) Welbeck, who played in the semi-final last week, they weren?t even born when Ryan made his debut. That?s unbelievable and whatever accolades he gets, he deserves them.”

Giggs will become the second player to reach an impressive career mark this week after Paul Scholes reached the 600-game plateau.

“We are a very special club that way,” added Ferguson. “We are lucky with the players we have and them being local boys does help. But they are not there in the team on sentiment, they are there on ability.”

Events of this week, and a Liverpool home draw against Arsenal appear to have put United firmly in control of the Premiership title race, and Ferguson wore the look of a man comfortable in his team?s situation.

Certainly, the latest outbreak in his on-going war of words with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, quoted in Spain this week as saying his team was superior to United?s, had little impact on Ferguson.

“He’s definitely saying a lot,” said Ferguson. “I?m happy he carries on with it because I trust my players.

“I?ve got good enough players to trust and I?ve done that for years now. That?s why I picked them. They?re a good bunch of lads, too, people we?re happy to put our trust in, so we will carry on that way.”

United have lost defender Gary Neville for two weeks with a foot injury although John O?Shea?s ankle problem is not as bad as first feared and the Irishman will be available for the Champions? League semi-final first leg against Arsenal next week.

England defender Wes Brown is also poised to re-join the first team squad for the closing weeks of the season after two successful reserve team outings this week.