Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs was recently awarded a one-year contract extension. Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has said that Ryan Giggs is a player who is worthy of the new contract he has signed with Manchester United.

The 38-year-old is one of the oldest players in the division, but continues to represent Manchester United at the highest level. He is the only player left in the division to have scored in every season of the Premier league since its inception. More than the records, Rio Ferdinand believes that it is the professionalism and the quality of Ryan Giggs that has made him worthy of the new contract.

Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Ji-sung Park and Darren Fletcher will all miss United's Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow.

The five players - many of them probable starters in Sir Alex Ferguson's strongest line-up - were absent from the squad flying out of Manchester on Monday afternoon.

Manchester United's old guard continue to set the example for the rest of the squad, claims Nemanja Vidic.

"I hope the Community Shield won't be the last trophy we win this season," said Vidic.

"We've worked hard in pre-season and I've seen the hunger in the players' eyes. We are ready to win more trophies because there exists a winning mentality at United.

Manchester United hero Ryan Giggs has revealed how he briefly flirted with joining Manchester City as a junior.

In a Sky TV tribute to his glittering career, Giggs says: "Two or three of us, the best players in [my junior] team, went down to City, we used to go on a Thursday night at Platt Lane.

With Manchester United in talks with his club, Cardiff City whizkid Aaron Ramsey admits his hero is Ryan Giggs.

"The media stories don't affect me whatsoever," he told The Western Mail. "Obviously, I hear about it, I just don't take any notice.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has hailed former Manchester United teammate Ryan Giggs as an ideal role-model for young players.

Keane said: "If you want to show any young, up-and-coming player an example of looking after yourself and being hungry for success, then you would certainly have Giggs up there.

"He deserves a lot of credit for that. He's a great pro and a top player."

Ryan Giggs insists he's happy with his squad role at Manchester United. At 34, Giggs still has plenty to contribute and, as he acknowledges, the game has changed as well as his status within it.

Portuguese winger Nani says he is ready to play whenever Sir Alex Ferguson calls on him, but says patience and a determination to develop are key attributes in this stage of his United career.

Manchester United overcame Derby's resilience to move within a point of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Derby's lack of a serious attacking threat was always going to limit their hopes of upsetting the champions. And United's midfield, which included Michael Carrick as a late replacement after Owen Hargreaves was injured in the warm-up, gradually took a grip on the game.

United beat Fulham 2-0 at Old Trafford on Monday night but stand-in skipper Ryan Giggs admitted the scoreline should have been bigger.

The Reds missed a string of chances in front of goal as Sir Alex's men carved open a Fulham defence that have kept just two clean sheets all season.