Manchester United's Ryan Giggs admits he is worried about making a mistake over a decision to retire in the future.
Manchester United veteran worried about making a mistake
Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs admits he is worried about making a mistake over a decision to retire in the future.
The Welshman signed a new contract with the Premier League champions last week to keep him at Old Trafford until the end of next season.
He is set to make his 900th appearance for the club against Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday, almost 21 years after making his league debut.
The 38-year-old may be able to achieve the rare feat of making 1,000 appearances for club and country by the time his career comes to end and currently sits 31 games away from that milestone.
Having seen Paul Scholes recently make a U-turn on his decision to retire and re-sign for Manchester United, Giggs is wary of making the same error.
Difficult
He told
The Telegraph: "When to retire is difficult. Do you quit too early or go that one too many games and let people see you on the slide? Retirement is just a decision that I have to take my time with because I feel different after each game.
"He (Scholes) was missing it and it's no secret that me, Nev (Gary Neville) and a few other people felt that he had finished too early, but who were we to know?
"We wanted him to carry on but he'd made his decision quite early and it was probably too early, which I think he accepts now. Who knows? Maybe he'll carry on next year."
With United sitting second in the Premier League table, two points behind rivals Manchester City, Giggs is set to play a pivotal role in the title race.
He could also have a busy summer should Stuart Pearce opt to pick the midfielder for his Great Britain football team for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Rules state that three players over the age of 23 can participate in the squads, although there may be further restrictions if the Football Association of Wales do not allow Giggs to play.
Giggs has expressed his desire to play at the tournament but admits he has a lot to take into consideration should the opportunity arise.
He added: "I haven't thought about the Olympics too much but nearer the time, I am obviously going to have to.
"First of all, I have to get picked - there are a lot of players vying for 20-odd spots - (and then there) is another obstacle: will it affect Wales in the future?
"If it does, then it will be an easy decision for me to make. If it comes to the time when the likes of myself, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are picked, it is something we will have to speak to the FAW about, but I hope it doesn't (become an issue)."
Central midfield
Giggs has reunited with Scholes in midfield for Manchester United with both players having played alongside each other in the centre on several occasions.
He has also had brief moments back in his old position on the wing - a position that used to cause him a number of injuries earlier in his career.
"Moving in to central midfield has definitely helped me. I had a taste of what it was like on the wing against Liverpool on Saturday and it's just completely different because you are up and down all the time," he said.
"When I played on the wing, I would feel absolutely knackered after games. I obviously come off tired after games now, but not as tired as I used to be when I was a winger."
