Giggs Laughs Off Criticism

For the 12th time yesterday, Giggs became a Premier League champion.

It was the Red Devils' 19th triumph overall, which takes them past Liverpool as England's most successful club.

Yet not everyone is happy.

Earlier this season, Marseille coach Didier Deschamps claimed Sir Alex Ferguson's team lacked star quality without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez. Others have pointed to the lack of a consistent challenge from Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City as the reason for United's success.

It is an observation Giggs is sick of hearing.

"The people who say this isn't a great United side are wrong," argued the veteran Welshman.

"I have played in good sides over the last 20 years and the back four we have at the moment is as good as any.

"They have provided the base that gave us the chance to win the league.

"Many people have given us stick this year but we have proved how good we are by what we have done."

In fact, Giggs never had any doubts. Even as Wayne Rooney was outlining why he wanted to leave Old Trafford in October, the 37-year-old kept the faith.

"I always thought we were going to win the league," said Giggs.

"I had no qualms or worries earlier in the season.

"You could be six behind at the turn of the year and still turn it around.

"It is all about momentum, which has been key for us. Since New Year we have turned on the style. Not only with some great performances but also with great results."

And, as Edwin van der Sar steps into retirement and Paul Scholes decides whether he should follow - which could leave Giggs, the oldest member of United's 'Class of 92', on his own as an Old Trafford old stager - he can see a fourth great Ferguson side beginning to emerge, taking on the challenge of repelling the threat that looks destined to come from Manchester City.

"This side can go on to more things," he said.

"You look around the changing room at Fabio, Rafael, Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez. They will be at the club a long time.

"You can see they love the club purely through the way they play and their manner around the training ground. It is obvious.

"It is all part of the manager's strategy for keeping things going.

"He has those three tiers. Now it is me, Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville. Then you have those in their late 20s and early 30s and then the younger players.

"We motivate each other. And for the young players to win their first medals and produce the football they are capable of is fantastic."

In addition to extending his own record for number of championship wins, Giggs also eclipsed David James' previous best by making his 573rd Premier League appearance.

He has also joined Steve Perryman on 613 top-flight appearances for a single club.

However, it is almost certain Giggs will need to wait until next season before claiming that record on his own because he is one of the players Ferguson is expected to leave out of next week's encounter with Blackpool in readiness for the Champions League meeting with Barcelona at Wembley on May 28.

Two years ago, in exactly the same situation, United collapsed, outplayed totally by the Catalans in Rome, one of the most chastening experiences Giggs has ever had.

He cannot guarantee revenge will be exacted in a fortnight, but he is determined not to have the same empty feeling at the final whistle.

"The ideal for every season is to win the league and still have something else to look forward to," said Giggs.

"We have that chance in the Champions League.

"It was the same in 2009 but it turned out to be a bad end to the season because we didn't do ourselves justice.

"That was the disappointing thing. Sometimes you lose, but you want to have at least made an impact."