second - in Moscow on 21 May 2008.

It now stands at 909; a tally which is likely to increase in the 2012/13 season. Good luck to anybody trying to better it and who would say with any conviction that he cannot do the unthinkable and breach the 1,000 barrier? It would appear a tall order but normal logic doesn't apply to the career of the Salford-raised superstar.

He's the only player to have scored in every Premier League season and even managed to mark his 900th appearance with the most dramatic of winners in injury time at Norwich. The wide-eyed celebration that followed proved he is as enthusiastic

about the game as he has ever been.

Yet United's most decorated player might never have graced Old Trafford, had it not been for Sir Alex Ferguson’s intervention. Cardiff-born Giggs was attending Manchester City's School of Excellence in his early teens, but Sir Alex made a personal visit to his house on his 14th birthday and Ryan jumped at the chance to sign for his boyhood favourites. Ryan turned professional at United in November 1990 and made his league debut in the old Division One against Everton at Old Trafford on 2 March 1991 as a substitute for Denis Irwin. His first league start in 1991/92 also proved a memorable occasion, as