After clinching his ninth Premier League title in May, Sir Alex Ferguson has already set Giggs the challenge of winning an unprecedented 10th.

As always in matters of this kind, Giggs prefers not to discuss them, re-iterating his long-held stance that medals, accolades, trophies and records are something he will only dwell on once his illustrious career is at an end.

In the meantime, he will carry on looking for the extra edge, the little ingredient he adds every summer that has allowed him to remain at the peak of his profession for so long.

"I am getting older," said the 33-year-old. "That is fairly obvious.

"But I am still as enthusiastic as I have ever been and I am excited about the challenge this season presents.

"Given the squad we have, it is impossible to be any other way.

"Every season, I just try to look for that extra five or 10% that will keep me involved, whether it is in my preparation for games, or what I do afterwards with the use of ice baths and things like that.

"This year, I am not playing international football, which will give me a chance to get some rest.

"Hopefully then I can come back refreshed and it will help me towards the end of the season when games start to come thick and fast."

Long established as the most decorated player in United history, Giggs is one major medal away from equalling Phil Neal as English football's number one trophy gatherer.

Yet none of his medals are on view in his Manchester home.

Instead, they are housed in United's museum, a conscious decision no doubt triggered by a desire not to spend time dwelling on the past.

"I am not being casual about it," he said.

"I am very proud of what I have achieved and I am sure when my career is over, all those medals will give me a great deal of satisfaction.

"But all I am focussed on is the next game and the next challenge. If I break records along the way, then great but I am not one to take much notice."

The next game for Giggs is against Reading at Old Trafford tonight, when United open the defence of their title.

With Gary Neville on the injured list for another three weeks, Giggs will assume the captain's armband once more, leading the Red Devils on the first stages of what he hopes will be another season of success.

Incredibly, Giggs has finished a campaign empty-handed on only four occasions. Four times, in 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2001, he has been part of United squads that have successfully defended the title.

It is a feat only Chelsea (once) have also achieved in the Premier League era, so Giggs knows just how hard it will be for the Red Devils to defend their crown.

"The whole league is getting tougher each year and everyone wants to beat the champions, so it is going to be harder still this time around," he said.

"Chelsea will want to do better than last year and Liverpool and Arsenal will both want to win it as well.

"But we have a lot of players who had not won the Premier League before. Now they have, they will want to taste it again and again."

Giggs recognises the need to make a flying start is imperative.

"You can't give the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool a six or seven-point lead after a couple of weeks or a couple of months," he observed.

Yet, when he looks round the dressing room, he sees no reason why the demand for early victories should not be met.

After all, Ferguson has reinforced a championship-winning squad with mouthwatering talent in the form of Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson and Carlos Tevez, whose long-awaited arrival has finally been confirmed.

None of the new boys are expected to start on Sunday but Giggs is confident when the £60million quartet are involved, they will make an immediate impact.

"When you sign new players, especially exciting attack-minded players like the ones we have, it excites players and staff, as well as the fans," he said.

"There has to be a settling-in period but they have looked good in training and in games, so I wouldn't be surprised if they hit the floor running."