Neville claims Giggs has years to play

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said his old team-mate Ryan Giggs can play at the highest level well into his 40s.

Giggs turns 39 in November, and is on the verge of securing his 13th Premier League winners’ medal with United this season and has just signed a one-year contract extension at Old Trafford.

And Neville, who is now a television pundit, is convinced the Welshman can maintain his high standards for years to come.

“Ryan is 38 years old, and he will contribute at the age of 42 if he wants to, the way his body is right now, the way his football is and with the quality he still has,” Neville told the Manchester Evening News.

“You see his quality and what a contribution he makes to the team and how could you ask someone after that when they’re going to retire? Why would he even think about it?”

Giggs has won the most trophies of any player in English football, and Neville said his record will be difficult to beat.

“What we’re seeing now with Ryan in terms of the collection of Premier League titles, that will never happen again,” he said.

“Ryan Giggs will go down as the most successful British footballer of all time and I cannot see anyone overtaking him.

“When we were younger, we often heard about Alan Hansen’s amazing eight championships with Liverpool. But what we are witnessing at the moment is greatness before our very eyes.

“Ryan is unique, he has surpassed all records and he has incredible desire, quality and spirit. He’s just fantastic to watch every single week.

“Ryan has a God-given talent, and his career has been incredible. I first played with him when I was 14 and he’s the best young player I’ve ever seen now, then, ever.

“It’s astonishing what he could do – the ball was tied to his feet and he could do everything at amazing pace.

“He’s so tough mentally, and physically. While quite thin he’s also very strong.”