he replay of Ryan Giggs' recent winner over West Ham United could have been a clip from any Manchester United game from the past 17 years, such is the manner in which the veteran winger has continued to torment defences with every passing Premier League season since its inception in 1992-93.

The 35-year-old plays with a committed professionalism and willingness to carry on winning that belies his ageing legs and suggests he still has the heart - and hunger - of a player half his age.

His efforts were rewarded recently as the player signed a new one-year contract that will expire shortly before his 37th birthday.

It was not long before a grand encomium was publicly made, and assistant Mike Phelan commends the club's "magnificent servant."

He told United's official website: "If anyone deserves a new contract then its Ryan Giggs. Hes been a magnificent servant to the game and to United.

"Hes very happy with the deal and were very happy to have him along. His form is incredible, hes training exceptionally well, and I think hes enjoying the game more than ever.

"The talent is there and it has never left him," Phelan continued. "He keeps reinventing himself all the time. Hes terrific around the place. He is Mr. Manchester United. Hes been there, seen it, done it, and wants to do more. Thats great for us.

"Hes always available for training and thats a big issue now in football. You must put the time into training because of the numerous games that we play."

Phelan was a versatile right-back during his own playing days, and remembers when Giggs broke through the ranks. "I was probably the one that left because he came through!" he jested.

"He was one of the new generation. It was great to watch him training, everybody was talking about him, and once he got in there was no stopping him.

"He was a talent at a very young age," he beamed. "We all knew it was there, but little did we know that he would go on to have the career that hes had, and put in so many years service. But hes got all the rewards for that hard work.

"When we all first saw him at The Cliff training ground, everyone stood still and just watched him for a while, assessing what he could do. Thats how it starts. The coaches talk about a player and it filters down to the dressing room. Everyone wants a sneaky look to see what weve got. And then you start to panic because you know that hes coming through and hell push you further forward or push you out.

"Thats the natural progression of a footballer," he concluded.

Giggs shows no signs of slowing down just yet in order for the new wave - Zoran Tosic, Nani - to come through.

He is the most decorated player in the history of the English league system with ten Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cup winner's medals, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup, (not to mention two League Cups and seven Community Shields).