Ryan Giggs surprised by appearance landmark

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has admitted that he was surprised to reach his 1,000th professional appearance for club and country earlier this month.

The 39-year-old former Wales international achieved the landmark in United's 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League on March 5.

"As you enter your 30s, you are just trying to play for as long as you can and get as much out of the game as you can," he told MUTV.

"Luckily, I have managed to stay injury free and also had the continuity of the manager.

"I have looked after myself as well, but no one could envisage getting to 1,000 games."

Giggs, who is the most decorated footballer in the history of the English game, made his first professional appearance for United in 1991.