Denis Irwin was the player who was leaving the field when a 17-year-old Ryan Giggs replaced him to make his Manchester United debut in March 1991. The Welshman has now made his 787th senior appearance for the Red Devils, and marked the occasion with a goal at West Ham United on Sunday.

Irwin went on to play as a left-back behind Giggs for most of the early part of Giggs's United career, and he is better qualified than most to offer some perspective on the winger's achievements and longevity.

"As United's left-back, I played behind Ryan for years and right from the beginning what was great for me was that he wasn't frightened of, nor did he shirk, his defensive duties," Irwin explained in today's Manchester Evening News.

"He never left me exposed and I knew that if I ever went on an overlap, he would track back. I didn't have to think twice about making a forward run because I knew Giggsy would cover for me. I could depend on him 100 per cent.

"That is not often the case with your typical out-and-out winger."

Irwin has also hailed Giggs' versatility, as after being considered very much a winger throughout most of his career, the Cardiff-born player has been moved into central midfield by United manger Sir Alex Ferguson in recent weeks.

"Ryan has had to re-invent himself," added Irwin.

"I wouldn't say his legs have gone but it is a more athletic game these days and there are plenty of players around who can now match his speed.

"When that time arrives you have to have something else to keep going. Ryan has, and always had, a footballing brain.

"He's intelligent and knows exactly how to move into spaces. It is those areas that are a nightmare for defenders as you just don't know how to pick him up.

"It's as difficult to handle that as it was attempting to stop him when he was bearing down on you on the wing. He'll be enjoying this new role. Life changes and you have to adapt.

"When you get older as a player there is a tendency to start worrying about your future and worrying about other people taking your place. But outwardly that doesn't seem to have bothered Ryan, if it has even come into his head at all."

And the former Republic of Ireland international had a few nostalgic words with which to conclude, as he cast a look back over Giggs' lengthy career, adding, "When you think back to that slip of a lad who made his debut as a winger to the experienced central midfielder Ryan is now, you have to say he really is an all-round player, and long may it continue."