Ferguson wants Giggs to win PFA Player of Year award
MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Winning the PFA Player of the Year award for the first time would be a fitting reward for Ryan Giggs''s contribution to the game, according to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
The 35-year-old Welsh winger is one of five Old Trafford players competing for the accolade on Sunday, alongside winger Cristiano Ronaldo, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who won the vote in 2006, completes the list of six nominations.
"I hope he (Giggs) wins it," Ferguson told reporters on the eve of Saturday''s home match against Tottenham Hotspur. "I think he has played 31 games this season, which the way you use your squad today is good.
"Hopefully he is rewarded for his contribution to the game and he thoroughly deserves it."
WINGER''S MILESTONE
Giggs is in line to make his 800th United appearance on Saturday, three days after team mate Paul Scholes played in his 600th match.
"He (Giggs) is the most respected player in the club because of what he has achieved," said Ferguson. "He is an example to anyone.
"When you think of (Federico) Macheda and (Danny) Welbeck, who played in the FA Cup semi-final (defeat by Everton) last week, they weren''t even born when Ryan made his debut.
"That''s unbelievable and whatever accolades he gets he deserves them," added Ferguson.
"After the Champions League final (win over Chelsea) in Moscow the players made a presentation to him and it was very emotional and represented how the players feel."
Giggs, who broke United''s record for appearances in the Champions League final in May, has 10 English league winners'' medals among a sackful of silverware.
Premier League leaders United go into the Spurs match holding a three-point lead over Liverpool, with a game in hand over the second-placed team.