Man United legend Ryan Giggs retires

LONDON: Ryan Giggs announced Monday he was retiring from his career as a player following his appointment as assistant manager to newly-installed Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

The 40-year-old one-club man revealed his decision in an open letter to supporters published on United´s website.

His statement signalled the end of the career of English football´s most decorated player with Giggs, the winner of 34 major trophies, bringing down the curtain on a 23-year career featuring a United record 963 appearances. "Today is a fantastic day for Manchester United," Giggs, caretaker manager for the final four games of the season after the club sacked David Moyes, wrote. "Louis van Gaal is a great appointment and let me begin by telling you how delighted I am to be working with someone of his calibre. His credentials are second to none and I´m positive the club will thrive under his leadership over the coming years."

Giggs, who thanked United´s backroom staff and his family for all their support since he made his United debut as a 17-year-old in 1990, said his prevailing mood was one of optimism. "For me, today is a new chapter filled with many emotions -- immense pride, sadness, but most of all, excitement towards the future," the former Wales international explained. "United fans I hope will share and echo my belief that the club, the management and owners, are doing everything they can to return this great club to where it belongs, and I hope to be there every step of the way. "To the greatest fans in world football, thank you, I have loved every minute of playing for you and representing the biggest and best club in the world." (AFP)