The biggest compliment I can give to Ryan Giggs is that he is the best player in the history of the Premier League. Why? Three things set him apart from the rest - his longevity, his medal haul and, above all, his humility. Nobody will come close to matching his collection of 34 major honours, nor will anyone score in 21 consecutive seasons.
ALAN PARDEW: STRONGER SQUAD
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MOYES: BEST IS YET TO COME
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MOURINHO: WE'VE ALWAYS REACTED
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ARSENE WENGER: GIGGS AT 40
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AVB: RIGHT TIME FOR UNITED
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TONY PULIS: CHANGES TAKE TIME
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PAUL LAMBERT: PLAYING WELL
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ROBERTO MARTINEZ: UNIQUE TABLE
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MACKAY: WE CAN MATCH ANYONE
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HUGHES: EVERTON GOOD START
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ALLARDYCE: START PERFORMING IN FRONT OF...
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BRUCE: WE HAVE TO DEFEND WELL
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GUS POYET: RED CARD RELIEF
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HUGHTON: EVERY GAME IS DIFFICULT
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ALAN PARDEW: STRONGER SQUAD
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MOYES: BEST IS YET TO COME
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Jose Mourinho has blasted Romelu Lukaku, the Chelsea striker who Sportsmail can reveal requested a transfer hours after his penalty miss in the UEFA Super Cup final. The day after the 5-4 shoot-out defeat to Bayern Munich back in August, Lukaku asked to move from Stamford Bridge as he felt unable to compete with Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto'o.
Liverpool face an anxious wait to discover the extent of the ankle injury that has almost certainly ruled Daniel Sturridge out of their trip to Hull on Sunday.
Manchester United manager David Moyes has no plans to give Wayne Rooney a rest just yet. The England strker has been United's stand-out performer.
Uzbek billionaire and Arsenal's second largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov is in no doubt manager Arsene Wenger can take the club back to being No 1.
SAMI MOKBEL: Andre Villas-Boas was doing so well in persuading people he wasn't cracking under the pressure of a turbulent week. Then he demanded an abusive supporter be removed from his seat.
SIMON CASS: It cannot be easy for a centre forward trying to reignite his career to be told his team are not going to play with a recognised striker.
Sergio Ramos will be available to Chelsea or Manchester City at the end of the season after fall-outs with Florentino Perez and Carlo Ancelotti.
Roberto Martinez is set make a third transfer swoop inside a year for Aiden McGeady after the Republic of Ireland winger was dramatically put up for sale.
Timmy Murphy appeared unlikely to take up his mount on Hennessy Gold Cup hope Our Father after leaving the track nursing an serious injury.
Had Ryan Giggs gone through with his threat of staying in bed instead of training with his team-mates on Friday, there's a chance he would have spent some of his day listening to Manchester's most famous bands.
Jordan Obita's strike 16 minutes from time gave 10-man Reading victory at the City Ground having thrown away a 2-0 lead in a topsy-turvy affair.
Everton are pondering a move to bring Landon Donovan back for a third spell on loan. The United States international became a crowd favourite at Goodison Park.
Brendan Rodgers believes Steven Gerrard can finish his career as a central defender in a bid to lengthen an already illustrious 16 years at the top.
Joleon Lescott has challenged Manuel Pellegrini to treat him fairly but admitted a belated chance to impress his boss may have come too late.
MATT LAWTON INTERVIEW: Scott Parker is confident that Fulham will survive in the Premier League this season and says they are a better side than the West Ham team he was part of that was relegated in 2011.
Tony Bellew and Adonis Stevenson almost came to blows at Friday's weigh-in for their world title clash in Quebec.
Neil Lennon accused the Green Brigade fans' group of taking liberties with Celtic's reputation after they displayed banners against AC Milan.
Trabzonspor have confirmed that Dimitar Berbatov is on their 'agenda'. The Turkish side re-iterated that the Fulham striker is on their transfer list.
Steven Gerrard has revealed Manchester United tried to nab him at the age of just 13 by signing him to a seven-year deal at Old Trafford.
SAM CUNNINGHAM: If ever there is a time for Carlton Cole to prove he is worth a contract beyond January when his short-term deal expires, it is against fellow Premier League strugglers Fulham on Saturday.
Everybody wants to talk about who is the best strike partnership in the Premier League at the moment but almost every team now has at least one quality striker.
Two men at the centre of match-fixing charges will remain behind bars for the next two weeks after their defence failed to lodge an appeal for bail.
After a difficult few weeks, the last thing Andre Villas-Boas needs is a visit from the champions. Spurs have made losing to Manchester United a speciality.
Liverpool defender Glen Johnson may face a driving ban after being found guilty of failing to tell police the identity of a driver of his Audi between May 8 and June 7 this year.
PETE JENSON: The first time Manuel Pellegrini had a one-to-one chat with Alvaro Negredo it was to say he had no future at Real Madrid.
Joe Cole has been warned by West Ham boss Sam Allardyce that there can be no repeat of his histrionics after he was hauled off early against Chelsea.
Jim McColl has declared his work as part of the rebel group of Rangers shareholders to be effectively over ahead of next month’s annual general meeting.
He may be on the Newcastle United bench again on Saturday but Hatem Ben Arfa has been assured that he still has a crucial role to play
NEIL ASTON: This club has become the envy of English football, a beacon for promoting bright young talent and everyone wants to know the secrets of Southampton's success.
Scotland Under 16's manager Scott Booth has revealed the first congratulations for the triumphant Victory Shield squad came from Darren Fletcher.
Ahead of another Barclays Premier League weekend, Sportsmail brings you the latest squad news and stats on every top flight fixture as it breaks.
David Beckham was forced to perform an embarrassing act in front of his Manchester United team-mates as part of initiation at Old Trafford.
Arsene Wenger can scarcely contemplate what fate might befall the Arsenal hierarchy if they ever copied Cardiff in changing the colour of his side's shirts.
PHIL DUNCAN: Jenson Button lit up the tarmac in his hometown on Friday night before vowing to light up next year's Formula One world championship. The McLaren driver endured a frustrating season.
JAMIE CARRAGHER: Why Giggs is the best in Premier League history
Three things set him apart - his longevity, his medal haul and, above all, his humility
The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Oasis and... Ghostbusters!
Ryan Giggs reveals his perfect playlist and why he sings along to Carly Rae Jepsen in his car
MARTIN KEOWN: Rapid Remy firing flying Toon
He's been involved in 53 per cent of Newcastle's Premier League goals, which shows you just how important he is
NEIL ASHTON: Saints masterplan to win the league includes custom- made beds, birthday cards for WAGs and saliva tests.... sounds bonkers but it's working!
PETE JENSON: City's silent assassin! Negredo has gone from misfit to Europe's deadliest
Alvaro Negredo is the hottest shot in the Champions League
SCOTT PARKER EXCLUSIVE: At West Ham, I would have swapped all of my awards for staying up. But Fulham will be OK, we're better
VIDEO: Bellew brawls with Stevenson at weigh-in and headbutts champion
Tony Bellew and Adonis Stevenson almost came to blows in Quebec
SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND: Time for Cole to Iron out his scoring?
If ever there is a time for Carlton Cole to prove he is worth a contract, it is against Fulham
KEVIN KILBANE: AVB can't fool the fans... his signings have flopped
There is not a single Tottenham fan who wanted Gareth Bale to be sold at any price
GEORGE NORTH: Wales have lost eight in a row against Australia but we have to win on Saturday
I'm a competitive person who hates losing. So enough is enough
MATT JARVIS: Ravel will be a really top player just like that incredible Mr Giggs... And why a career in ping-pong was never on table, despite my England star parents
As Giggs turns 40, watch the incredible footage of him at 14 (named Ryan Wilson!) tearing up Schools Cup
IAN LADYMAN'S memories of legend
EXCLUSIVE: 'I pumped up the balls - Schmeichel would kick them in the river...'
DOMINIC KING: Ryan Giggs looks back to his United apprenticeship
As Giggs celebrates his 40th birthday, here's Sportsmail's memories of United's majestic midfielder
Our experts pick their favourite moments
The star with sticking power: How Giggs has changed his look through 21 years
Sportsmail takes a look at the changing face of Ryan Giggs
West Ham aren't hot in the penalty box right now... but these 'cool' maps will give supporters the chills!
West Ham's problems in front of goal are obvious
GRAHAM POLL: In my 1554 games as a referee there was never a hint of bribery... but it doesn't stop officials giving soft penalties to the bigger teams
IAN BENNETT: Match-fixers asked me to sign a ball... then they offered me £10k to lose 2-0 at Liverpool
INSIGHT: Former Birmingham keeper
JEFF POWELL ON FRIDAY: Match-fixing has reached the top of the English game before, so you can't bet against it happening again (just take a look at cricket)
ADEBAYO AKINFENWA: Giggs is an inspiration... he's even got me into yoga (after I gave up orange juice)
Sportsmail's star says Ryan Giggs is BMO
Adam's a class act! Take note Warner, Clarke and Johnson...
Adam Scott proves not every sportsman in Australia is interested in winning ugly
Davey determined to turn on the style against Holdsworth in TUF Finale
Davey Grant was robbed of his chance to reach the Ultimate Fighter Finale in style
'All I need to spell in snooker is my name': Meet Shane Castle... the 15-year-old prodigy who has snubbed education for a shot at becoming world champion
MARTIN SAMUEL - THE DEBATE: Do I want AVB to fail? No, I want everybody to live happily ever after... but life isn't like that so buy a helmet and get used to it
TACKLE KEOWN: Who drove the worst car at training? And which former Gunner would play Michael Jackson before games?
This week's Q&A
Madman of Madrid... cynical Sergio makes the Butcher of Bilbao look like a pussycat after his 17th red card (and Jones and Keane have nothing on him)
MATT BARLOW: Chelsea still struggling with the same old problems of unbalanced squad and disappointing results... is Mourinho the new Di Matteo?
MARTIN KEOWN: Flamini is Arsenal's braveheart... he should be made captain for having the character and guts to question his skipper
WARREN GATLAND: I poached Cuthbert and North to stop them falling into England's hands
Wales' top players could have played for England
RICKY PONTING: After dismantling England do you believe me that Mitch is a threat?
I knew Mitchell Johnson was going to be a handful at the Gabba
Yes, Woolers would have backed Sir Henry Cecil for this year's prize
The Ian Wooldridge award is an annual award voted for by readers
Your ultimate guide to the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year
Andy Murray is the overwhelming favourite for the prestigious title after winning Wimbledon
Brainless Bendtner... as the not-so-Great Dane adds to his long rap sheet, we ask: Is the Gunner the most stupid player in Premier League history?
IAN LADYMAN: Twenty-five years ago TV cameras didn't capture every moment of significant football action but we should be thankful ITV sent a crew to Anfield to film the final of the Granada Schools Cup in 1988. For the record, Salford beat Blackburn 3-2 with a winning goal coming in extra time at the Kop end. It was the second successive year that Blackburn had lost in the final but in the dressing rooms and indeed the boardroom that night nobody really talked about that.
Ryan Giggs had threatened to stay in bed on his 40th birthday to avoid being pranked at Manchester United's Carrington training base. Well one player managed to get to the former Wales winger by posting this picture on his instagram.
DOMINIC KING: Ryan Giggs shudders. He is reflecting on old times and the place where it began for him - The Cliff training ground - and as he does he can still hear a booming voice ringing in his ears.
The Premier League sticker-book is a staple diet for supporters, but there can't be many who have managed to collect all 21 of Ryan Giggs' mug shots.
I had heard a fair bit about Ryan Giggs before he made his Manchester United debut. Bryan Robson often mentioned how good this Giggs was.
Two days on from playing the entire 93 minutes of United's record-breaking 5-0 Champions League win against Leverkusen, Ryan Giggs turns 40.
Here MailOnline takes a look at some of the weird, wacky and unbelievable statistics that Ryan Giggs has accumulated in his wonderful career.
Ryan Giggs was one player that Sir Alex Ferguson, only one year into his tenure at Old Trafford, was simply not going to let escape.
To mark this landmark 40th birthday for the greatest player in Premier League history, MailOnline are celebrating Ryan Giggs Week.
When the question is raised as to the greatest players never to have appeared in a major tournament, Ryan Giggs certainly deserves a place in the list.
Match fixing is the elephant in the room. Our living room. As footballers are arrested on suspicion of rigging bets in the lower leagues, can we be absolutely certain the contagion cannot, will not spread to the upper, televised echelons of the English game?
Delroy Facey is now playing for Albion Sports. But the player at the centre of the investigation into the alleged fixing of non-League football matches once wanted more for himself than that.
MIKE DICKSON: There was a time when football followers might not have been aware of Ray Winstone or Chris Kamara. Not now.
INSIGHT: Birmingham City were preparing for an FA Cup replay at Liverpool in January 1995 when Ian Bennett had a brief encounter with football's match-fixers.
Match-fixing scandals may be relatively new to English football, but criminals have infiltrated domestic leagues around the world...
The name of Wilson Raj Perumal will be depressingly familiar to those who have tried to disentangle football's global match-fixing web.
We should all be grateful we have our games controlled by 100 per cent honest match officials who have never been caught up in bribery scandals.
Richard Scudamore has described allegations of match-fixing in England's top flight as 'the most serious attack that can be made on the sport'.
Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo cost Real Madrid a combined £166million over the past four years - and now the world's two most expensive players and their team-mates have been given a free car each from club sponsors Audi.
David Beckham has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson was like 'the godfather' of Manchester United because of his totalitarian approach to managing the club.
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has admitted his side are facing a make or break month if they are to win their latest Barclays Premier League survival battle.
England Women's international striker Toni Duggan has signed for Manchester City Ladies on a three-year contract.
Arsene Wenger has urged his Arsenal side to take advantage of playing before their nearest rivals this weekend and stretch their Premier League lead.
Paul Lambert has rubbed salt into the wounds at Sunderland by insisting they lost one of the game's great managers when Ellis Short sacked Martin O'Neill.
Liverpool are pursuing a move for Barcelona full-back Martin Montoya. Brendan Rodgers is looking to bolster his defence, after Jose Enrique was ruled out.
Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman insisted he has never heard of the veteran Turkish manager who reportedly claimed he has been sounded out.
Upton Park has become the new 'Library'. Like Highbury a few years ago, you can hear a burger wrapper fall.
Michael Laudrup has told Alvaro Vazquez to seize his chance when Swansea City travel to Manchester City on Sunday without their first-choice strikers.
West Ham winger Matt Jarvis writes in his his debut Footballers' Football Column about how he used to watch Ryan Giggs videos when growing up and how he has not given up on adding to his one England cap.
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel lies on the ground in agony with stud marks on his shin after being injured at training on Friday.
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has confirmed he is the latest Premier League manager to receive a call from refs' chief Mike Riley.
West Ham's problems in front of goal have been well documented in recent weeks. Here, Sportsmail takes a look at their penalty-box presence.
Andy Carroll's long-awaited return is set to end after West Ham boss Sam Allardyce revealed the striker is scheduled rejoin training next week.
Gwyn Williams, the former Chelsea chief scout who discovered John Terry, is taking Leeds United to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal.
Ahead of his first League appearance since August 2012, Shay Given is 'raring to go' on his return to the north-east of England.
Saido Berahino will commit his long-term future to West Bromwich Albion by signing a new three-and-a-half year deal on Friday.
Jose Mourinho is considering a loan deal for Fabio Coentrao in January, a move that would cast further doubt on Ashley Cole's future.
Andre Villas-Boas was so incensed by a fan suggesting that he was to be 'sacked in the morning' that he asked for the heckler to be ejected.
Fulham striker Darren Bent is preparing for a huge London derby against West Ham on Saturday but that did not stop him taking on Sportsmail's Football Freestyle challenge.
Footage of the fatal car crash involving former Manchester City footballer Courtney Meppen-Walter is to be used in schools to teach pupils the dangers of reckless driving.
JOHN McGARRY: The very thought of it is enough to leave any chief executive in the Scottish Premiership feeling a little green about the gills.
CHARLES SALE: Investment banker Josh Harris is set to become the latest American sports franchise owner to buy into English football.
Former Premier League striker Michael Chopra has lifted the lid on his gambling addiction and spoken about how players would bet sums of £30,000.
Cardiff's Craig Bellamy has admitted he regret not joining Tottenham on one of the three occasions the north London club tried to sign him.
West Ham are considering a loan deal for Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac. The 27-year-old figured for the French side against Arsenal.
A fatal construction accident at Sao Paulo's World Cup stadium on Wednesday, in which a crane collapsed and killed two workers may delay its opening.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not short on self confidence and the Swedish hitman claimed that he doesn't need the Ballon d'Or to prove that he is the best player in the world.
PAUL NEWMAN IN ALICE SPRINGS: It was not exactly a performance that guaranteed inclusion but Gary Ballance, as much because of the limitations of others as his own form, could he heading for a Test debut in Adelaide.
England's Ashes defence could not have got off to a worse start, with acrimonious defeat at the Gabba and the sad departure of Jonathan Trott, but at least they have been able to take satisfaction from one little victory over the old enemy. Back in Brisbane there is a talented Aussie in our midst.
I was part of Sportsmail's roundtable chat last week before the first Test, when it was fair to say not everyone shared my view that Mitchell Johnson was going to be a handful at the Gabba.
If there were ICC rankings for not panicking, England would be top of the tree, experts at digging themselves out of holes.
Darren Lehmann has urged Australia fans to keep the heat on England and said he wanted his own team to continue playing 'aggressive, in-your-face' cricket.
PAUL NEWMAN REPORTS FROM ALICE SPRINGS: The peace of Uluru was a contrast to the tension of the Gabba as Stuart Broad opened up.
Six England cricket stars visited the world heritage site at Ayers Rock on Wednesday as they look to bounce back from a difficult start to their Ashes tour.
Rory McIlroy has admitted he will be cheering on the Australians for the remainder of the Ashes series. England were put to the sword in Brisbane.
LAWRENCE BOOTH IN ADELAIDE: England's batsmen will get a chance to rebuild their shattered confidence in next week's second Test.
Dereck Chisora has pledged to streak down London's Oxford Street if he beats Ondrej Pala at the Copper Box on Saturday night. The controversial heavyweight takes on the Czech looking for his fourth consecutive stoppage.
I'm a competitive person who hates losing and we've lost eight in a row against Australia. So enough is enough - we have to win on Saturday.
Davey Grant was robbed of his chance to reach the Ultimate Fighter Finale in style - but he plans to make up for that against Chris Holdsworth on Saturday night.
Former world champion boxer Herbie Hide has been jailed for selling cocaine after a court heard he fell for a sting operation set up by a journalist.
Judd Trump and Ali Carter led criticism of the new Williamhill.com UK Championship set-up despite comfortable first-round wins.
Marland Yarde is the latest England international to be ruled out of the Six Nations . Yarde is facing surgery on a ruptured tendon in his hip.
Defending champion Charl Schwartzel claimed a share of the lead at the halfway stage of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek.
The family of Peter Roebuck, the English-born cricket writer who died two years ago in Cape Town, want an open inquest into his death.
British basketball star Pops Mensah-Bonsu was forced to apologise after becoming involved in an ugly brawl during a Euroleague game.
There is little wonder trainer Jim Culloty took the loss of his intended Hennessy Gold Cup jockey 24 hours before the race in his stride.
Sheik Fahad Al Thani and his cousin Sheik Joaan will race horses in partnership for the first time next year. The move puts pay to rumours of niggling rivalry.
The Ian Wooldridge award is an annual award celebrating the sporting brilliance and Corinthian spirit so beloved of Woolers.
Tottenham have the worst shot conversion rate in the entire Premier League, only scoring 5.36 per cent of shots they've had - just one in 20.
Lionel Messi would have been proud of Shane Long's stunning control and finish. We're rounded up some other unlikely scorers of goals using exquisite skill.
The Ian Wooldridge award is an annual award voted for by readers celebrating the sporting brilliance and Corinthian spirit so beloved of Woolers.
MailOnline's hard-hitting columnist on why Arsene Wenger will be to blame if Arsenal don't win the Premier League.
It's getting to that time of year when sitting in front of the telly is more appealing than venturing out in the cold.
The bookmakers have already made up their minds, now it is time for the British public to endorse the historic achievement of Andy Murray this summer.
JONATHAN MCEVOY: Sebastian Vettel is the youngest quadruple world champion in history and he is in danger of destroying his own sport.
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