Giggs hailed as he helps secure United’s title

May 12 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

Wigan 0-2 Man Utd

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson reserved special praise for Ryan Giggs after he won the Premier League title for a 10th time.

The Welsh winger marked his record-equalling 758th appearance for the club by grabbing a crucial second goal 10 minutes from time after stepping off the bench.

Cristiano Ronaldo made the breakthrough in the 33rd minute from the penalty spot with his 41st goal of a remarkable campaign.

But Wigan made a brave fight of it and Giggs, who drew level on United appearances with Sir Bobby Charlton, secured the victory with a cool finish.

Ferguson said: “It is fantastic for Ryan to get the goal that matters. Maybe it is fate.

“He deserves it. I have known him for 20 years and he has been a credit to the game.

“For him to equal the record, then to get the goal that wins the title is just fantastic.”

Giggs insists winning trophies is what motivates him and United have a Champions League final against Chelsea on May 21 to look forward to.

He said: “It was a great goal to settle us down – it gave us a two-goal cushion.

“I said before the game that I am not bothered about records. This is what it is about, championships and trophies. I hope we can win another one in 10 days’ time.”

Asked if United’s latest triumph reinforced his determination to carry on as manager, Ferguson replied: “I am very proud to have survived so long but I am at a great club which makes it easier for me than the rest.”

Ferguson admitted Wigan had given United a stern test on their way to a title-clinching victory.

He said: “It was a tough one all right. For most of the game, we played well but there were some nervous moments.”

United might have been reduced to 10 men in the first half when Paul Scholes, already on a yellow card, blocked off Wilson Palacios but referee Steve Bennett gave him a final warning instead.

“We were a bit lucky,” said Ferguson. “The first tackle was reckless and he deserved to be booked but the second one was nothing.”

Ferguson was pleased his players had been able to maintain control of their own destiny.

He added: “We had to concentrate on our own game and I think we did that okay. Just after half-time, we started to get a grip of it and I was pleased with that second goal.”

United were in front but needing calming despite Ronaldo’s first-half penalty when Giggs kept his nerve to coolly slot home Rooney’s through ball.

A quarter of an hour earlier, Giggs’ had been introduced for his 758th United appearance, equalling a milestone left by Sir Bobby Charlton that will surely be eclipsed in Moscow on May 21.

Few would begrudge the Red Devils their latest success, even if the free-flowing attack that has propelled them to glory by two points over Chelsea, who drew 1-1 with Bolton, was strangely muted.

Certainly anyone still daring to suggest Steve Bruce was happy enough to do his old club a favour clearly was not inside a stadium where, contrary to stated wisdom, the vast majority wanted a home win.

And how Wigan did their supporters proud as they controlled possession for long periods and enjoyed the majority of chances.

Emile Heskey was a particular thorn in the side of Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and, with Antonio Valencia providing flashes of inspiration from the flanks, United were wobbling.

Michael Brown, Jason Koumas and Marcus Bent all failed to convert half chances.

Not for the first time in recent weeks, Ronaldo had been a subdued force until his moment of destiny arrived and allowed him to equal Alan Shearer’s Premier League best haul of 31.

But, with the pressure starting to increase, Ronaldo was the coolest man in the stadium, sending Chris Kirkland the wrong way after Boyce had clipped Wayne Rooney.

Like Ronaldo, Rooney toiled for long periods without having an impact but as Paul Scharner let the ball slide under his foot, Ferguson’s decision to select the England man was fully justified as he was onto it in a flash.

A posse of Wigan players, Boyce among them, surrounded referee Bennett to complain, although in truth they had a more plausible argument when Scholes barged Palacios over by the touchline a couple of minutes later.

As the tenacious midfielder had already been booked for a foul on the same man, Bennett would have been fully justified in giving the afternoon a dramatic twist by pulling out a red card.

Instead, the official, harangued by Ferguson for dismissing Ronaldo at Portsmouth earlier in the season, opted to issue a final warning, which merely reinforced the belief that United would be champions.

United certainly began the second-half as if they believed it.

Kirkland denied a thunderous Ronaldo free-kick and goalbound efforts from Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

It formed past of a frenzied period which should have seen United awarded a penalty for Titus Bramble’s ill-advised lunge on Scholes and Rooney booked as he launched a volley of abuse at Bennett for a free-kick awarded against him.

At least for the sake of United’s nerves, the action was taking place around the Wigan goal but by the time Giggs was introduced, the Latics had revived and Heskey planted a header on the roof of the visitors’ net from Koumas’ free-kick.

But United were not to be denied and 10 minutes from time, Rooney provided the killer pass for Giggs to wrap up yet another title.

Page two: Fergie full of praise for Giggs