So far, the Red Devils have managed to avoid suffering their first setback in this season's competition.

And, unless Aalborg get some kind of result at Old Trafford on Wednesday, United will enter the knock-out stage draw as winners on Group E.

But Giggs has definitely noticed a change in approach. And he recognises the challenges will only get tougher as the tournament progresses.

"We knew it would be tough because every team is out to beat the holders," Giggs told UEFA's website.

"You have got to remember what it took to win the Champions League.

"It wasn't easy. It was tough right from the start. We need to use the experience we had last year and keep the desire and the hunger because we have already proved the talent is there.

"With all those things we have a great chance."

With Bayern Munich and Real Madrid likely to be among the eight group runners-up, United know finishing above fellow qualifiers Villarreal is no guarantee of any easy draw.

The possibility of Chelsea, Liverpool and maybe even Arsenal finishing second in their groups only heightens the possibility of facing one of Europe's traditional superpowers in the last 16.

However, with the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus and Barcelona - who the Red Devils defeated in the semi-final last term - set to finish at the head of their four-team pool, the advantage of retaining top spot is obvious.

It might not stop Sir Alex Ferguson making changes though as he plots a way through the fixture congestion his side are now facing.

Jonny Evans should start at centre-half, with either Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak taking over in goal. Giggs might be called upon as well.

Now past his 35th birthday, the former Wales skipper knows he does not have long left at the top level.

But with 774 appearances, 10 league titles, two European Cups and a stack of other personal and team accolades to his name, Giggs has already achieved much more than he ever imagined when he burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old.

"As a Manchester United fan I used to go and watch them play," he said.

"I signed for them when I was 14 and have not played for another team.

"It wasn't until I was leaving school, when I knew that I would be going on to an apprenticeship at United, that I knew this was going to be my career.

"Before that you don't take anything for granted, you know there are not many people that make professional footballers."