Class of 92 vs Class of 2011 - Part 7/7

Ryan Giggs during the 95/96 Premier League winning season

Ryan Giggs is arguably the greatest product of the Manchester United academy ever. After 12 Premier League titles, 2 Champions League titles, 4 FA Cups and 3 League Cups. He holds the record for the most appearances for Manchester United (885 as of this article) scoring 161 goals in all competitions. He's captained the side on numerous occasions, although he's never been appointed the team captain officially. He also had 64 caps for Wales, with 12 goals before retiring in 2007. He was Wales captain from 2004 up until retiring from the national side. 

He made his name as a lightning quick left winger, but was often used in a more advanced central role - but in recent years has begun playing a deeper playmaker role.

Danny Welbeck is a local academy graduate who has a bright future ahead of him at Old Trafford. On loan last season at Sunderland, he scored 6 goals in 28 games for the club spending most of the season out on the left wing. This season however he's been played through the middle and has bagged 5 goals in 9 games so far, including goals against Arsenal, Tottenham and a brace vs FC Basel in the Champions League. 

Forward vs Forward
Ryan Giggs vs Danny Welbeck

 

Ryan Giggs started his career as an out and out winger, providing assists and scoring goals for fun in the top flight. His ability to adapt to different roles has without doubt led to his incredible longevity, the Welshman is still a regular figure in the Manchester United side 21 seasons after making his debut. He has scored in every single season, and is the only player to have scored in every single Premier League season ever, although he's yet to score this season.

Danny Welbeck is a striker with great pace and composure. However during his loan spell at Sunderland last season, United legend Steve Bruce decided to put his pace to greater use on the left wing with Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan ahead of him in the striker positions. He did well there getting 6 goals showing he can be versatile too.

So with both capable of playing on the left wing and in a more advanced central role, the final comparison of the series will see Ryan Giggs vs Danny Welbeck.

PACE

RG: Ryan Giggs has been known throughout his career for his blistering pace and even at the tender age of 37 he still has that burst that is enough to take him past his man and deliver something magical.

GRADE: 9/10

DW: Danny Welbeck has proved to be very quick this season and it's one of his finest attributes as a footballer. He often uses that speed to shut down defenders when defending and also when being apart of one of United's legendary counter-attacking moves.

GRADE: 8/10

FIRST TOUCH

RG: Ryan's first touch has always been one of his strongest attributes and has got him into so many fantastic situations throughout his career and got him out of so many potentially horrible ones. It's become more important as football has evolved in the last 20 years, but his touch is still up there with the best.

GRADE: 9/10

DW: Danny's first touch is decent, but can be suspect in tight situations. When he has time, he can bring the ball down well and attack the defenders but when under pressure he can sometimes misplace it and have to use his strength to keep the ball.

GRADE: 7/10

HEADING

RG: Winger's aren't usually renowned for their heading ability, but Ryan Giggs has always been able to head a ball accurately, especially when it comes to goalscoring opportunities. His best header (in my opinion) coming from the edge of the area and going over the goalkeeper and curling inside the post vs Coventry City in 2001.

GRADE: 8/10

DW: Danny's heading ability is superb for a young striker. Two superb headers come to mind when I think about it, his goal for England U21's during the summer and his magnificent header vs Spurs in the opening home game of the season. His ability to leap matched with his height gives him an advantage against defenders and he usually takes his opportunities.

GRADE: 8/10

FINISHING

RG: Ryan's finishing for a winger is sublime, hence his fantastic record of 161 goals for Manchester United since his debut. Left foot, headers and even sometimes right foot he has great awareness of the where the goal is and knows exactly how to put the ball away.

GRADE: 9/10

DW: Danny, as a striker, has a natural ability to put the ball in the back of the net so it's no great surprise that this is one of his finest attributes as a footballer. Right foot, left foot, headers and from any range he is capable of scoring and provides a great threat to the opposition.

GRADE: 8/10

CREATIVITY

RG: Giggs' creativity is what has made him such a legend at Old Trafford and throughout the world. His ability to turn nothing into something is something not many others can match and it's won many games for Manchester United over the years. The finest example being his legendary goal against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

GRADE: 10/10

DW: Welbeck's a creative force in the making, who will only improve as he gains more match experience. His one touch passing is sublime and it often brings the midfield into the play well. His involvement in Anderson's goal vs Tottenham at the start of the season is more than likely the best example of his creative play. A real prospect.

GRADE: 8/10

TOTALS

RYAN GIGGS - 45/50

DANNY WELBECK - 40/50

So as expected, Ryan Giggs comes out on top of this encounter fairly comfortably. The Welsh Wizard is a world-class winger who has somehow managed to adapt his style of play from speed demon winger, to laid back deep playmaker but is still involved in the team regularly at the ripe old age of 37.  

"His talent is God-given.He will have wonderful skill even when he's got his bus pass, because that sort of ability never deserts you." 

Brian Kidd - Former Assistant Manager at Man United.