Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs has won the PFA Merit Award, following in the footsteps of club legends Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton.
The accolade is given for outstanding services to football and Giggs adds it to his 1992 and 1993 Young Player of the Year and 2009 Player of the Year awards.
Giggs made a club-record 693 appearances for United and is the most successful player in the English game, having won 13 league titles, four FA Cups and two Champions Leagues.
He was made Louis van Gaal’s assistant at Old Trafford in 2014 after he took interim charge following the sacking of David Moyes earlier that year.
Giggs said: “I’m chuffed to have to have won all three awards; the young player was a long time ago and then the player award was a big surprise.
“This is the culmination of around 25 years since my debut, so it’s a credit to myself, my team-mates, staff, family and friends.
“When you win each award you look down the trophy and you see the players who have won it before and you realise what a great accolade it is.
“This is the same. I’ve been here on the nights when people have won it and it’s legends of the game. I’m fortunate to win it and I’ll enjoy it.
“What Sir Alex always used to say was enjoy it. It was the last thing he said when you went out and played.
“Everything that comes with that obviously – improve every day, practise, listen, dedicate yourself – but most of all enjoy your football.
“That went for playing when I was 17 until when I was 40. It was a privilege to play at Old Trafford and I tried to enjoy it.”
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