MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 20:03:45| >> :60:540:540:

On this day: Ryan Giggs scores last Manchester United goal

Two years ago today, Ryan Giggs scored the 168th and final goal of his Manchester United career.

As far as appearances for Manchester United go, no player in the club's history can better Ryan Giggs's tally of 963 outings.

And, while his return of 168 goals is someway short of Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 249, only six players have found the net on more occasions for the Red Devils than the Welshman.

He scored his first goal in United colours as a teenager during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford back in 1991, with his last coming at the age of 39 nearly 22 years later.

It was in fact at Loftus Road two years ago today that Giggs found the net for the final time in his career.

United, who were heading for the Premier League title, were already 1-0 in front thanks to right-back Rafael da Silva, who broke the deadlock during the first half with a stunning strike from distance.

Hosting Queens Park Rangers had chances to draw themselves level as the encounter wore on, but it was Giggs that made sure of the outcome 10 minutes from time.

In the build-up, Danny Welbeck rolled the ball to full-back Patrice Evra, with the Frenchman in turn playing it into the path of Nani on the edge of the QPR box.

That was Giggs's cue to move in behind centre-backs Christopher Samba and Clint Hill and his run was picked out perfectly by the Portuguese playmaker.

Then, as the angle was narrowed by advancing home goalkeeper Julio Cesar, the veteran midfielder, who was making his 999th appearance for club and country, clinically fired his shot across the face of goal and into the far corner of the net.

As Giggs celebrated in front of the travelling supporters with his teammates in West London, little did anyone know that it would be the last time that he got his name on the scoresheet before his retirement in the summer of 2014.

However, he did go ever so close to scoring a second goal against the R's in the closing stages when his chipped effort cannoned against the crossbar.

After the final whistle, QPR manager Harry Redknapp said of Giggs: "He's just an amazing player - a great professional [and] top drawer."

QPR: Cesar; Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Traore; Mbia, Granero (Jenas), Mackie, Taarabt, Townsend (Hoilett); Zamora (Remy)

MAN UNITED: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Giggs, Young (Valencia); Van Persie (Welbeck), Hernandez (Rooney)

ID:207243: cacheID:207243:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4565:
Written by
Liam Apicella
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Portugese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo (L) celebrates with English forward Wayne Rooney after scoring his second goal against Portsmouth on January 30, 2008
Read Next:
OTD: Ronaldo stuns Portsmouth
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!