Which United star posted this birthday tribute to Giggs... who baked this cake to mark legend's 40th and what will 'Old Father Time' think to his £12 watch?

By David Kent

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Ryan Giggs had threatened to stay in bed on his 40th birthday to avoid being pranked at Manchester United's Carrington training base but one player managed to get to the former Wales winger by posting this picture on his Instagram.

Summer signing Wilfried Zaha posted a bizarre picture of himself with his face covered by a Giggs mask on his official Instagram page along with the message: 'Happy Birthday giggsy'. The dressing room was also plastered with photos of Giggs.

And, as if commenting on the United midfielder's longevity, his team-mates had a whip round and gave him a £12 Casio watch. The chefs at the club's Carrington training base even baked an impressive cake for him.

VIDEO: Scroll down to watch a young Giggs take the Man of the Match award

Happy birthday! Wilfried Zaha posted a picture of himself in a Ryan Giggs mask on his Instagram page

Happy birthday! Wilfried Zaha posted a picture of himself in a Ryan Giggs mask on his Instagram page

Birthday cheer: The chefs at Carrington rustled up this cake to mark Giggs' 40th

Birthday cheer: The chefs at Carrington rustled up this cake to mark Giggs' 40th

How old? Ryan Giggs turned 40 on Friday, but is still playing at the highest level

How old? Ryan Giggs turned 40 on Friday, but is still playing at the highest level

By Saturday, it will finally be over. And no-one will be more delighted than the man himself.

'It is obviously a milestone but I try not to think about it,' he said on the eve of his birthday.

'I don't know if the lads are planning anything - but I'm not going in just in case. I'm going to stay in bed.

'I'll be glad when it is over.'

Giggs was also presented with a coach's watch for his 40th birthday by his team-mates.

Moyes confirmed the Welshman had indeed been the centre of attention, saying: 'There were one or two surprises for him in the dressing room.

'One was a coach's watch - I think they are trying to push him out of the door.'

Giggs' achievements are the stuff of legend.

So impressive was his performance in Wednesday's 5-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, one of the German side's defenders felt compelled to ask Wayne Rooney exactly how old his veteran team-mate was again.

Giggs' personal records will almost certainly never be beaten - he has, after all, won as many league titles as Arsenal have managed in their entire history.

But it all could have been so different had he opted to sever ties with the club where he made his name, as fellow 'Class of 92' members David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville all did.

'If I'd moved from club to club I'd be finished by now,' he said.

'I'm lucky that I have been at one club, where I am surrounded by good players. I also have a good manager.

'I look after myself and try to train every day in order to make myself available for selection.

'I enjoy it as much as I can, and, of course, try to contribute to the team.'

 
Millestone: Giggs played for United against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening

Millestone: Giggs played for United against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening

Then and now: Giggs nutmegged Tottenham's Jason Cundy before netting a stunner back in 1992

Then and now: Giggs nutmegged Tottenham's Jason Cundy before netting a stunner back in 1992

Stalwart: Giggs has won it all with Manchester United
Stalwart: Giggs has won it all with Manchester United

Stalwart: Giggs has won it all with Manchester United, including the team accolades such as the Premier League (left) and individual gongs like the PFA Player of the Year award (right)

The only time it appeared possible Giggs would leave was during the 2002-03 campaign when he was jeered by his own supporters, his contribution not helped by the repeated hamstring injuries he suffered.

There was talk of a big-money move to Italy and, although Giggs has stated before he was never made aware of any interest, it is fair to assume, if he had offered any encouragement, there would have been a lengthy queue for his services.

It did not take long for Giggs to emerge from his difficulties.

In that same 2002-03 season he scored a wonder goal against Juventus in Turin. He also started working those hamstrings with regular yoga sessions, now an accepted method of keeping in shape, but at the time unusual.

VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Giggs' goal against Spurs in 1992

Time to celebrate? Giggs (right) has cause for a party after turning 40 on Friday

Time to celebrate? Giggs (right) has cause for a party after turning 40 on Friday

In action: Giggs plays a pass during the Leverkusen clash
Conserving energy: The Welsh wizard has reinvented himself since bursting on to the scene in 1991

Left foot forward: Giggs is still a vital part of the United team at the age of 40

Remember this? Giggs netted a famous stunner against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final

Remember this? Giggs netted a famous stunner against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final


'I don't know what the younger lads think of me,' he said.

'When I was 17 and 18 I thought 31 was ancient. Here I am at 40.

'It can be hard sometimes but I am still enjoying it.

'As long as that is the case I will carry on.'

Well at least one of the younger lads seems to be a fan of Giggs, as Zaha has proven with his homage to the veteran.

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

It like someone has eaten Ryan Giggs and been sick all over the papers just lately. He's splashed all over the place.

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Great Player but as a human being loathable - What you think of him probably determines what kind of person you are.

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im glad he's still playing at the top but it annoys me that every time he has played during the last 4 years commentators mention his age.

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The man who sleeps with his brother's wife, nice guy, what a role model!

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david177 they haven't done it with their brothers wife

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As far as we know ...

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SPECIAL MAN.....VERY SPECIAL CLUB...............UTiD

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CUE THE JEALOUSY.........YOU GOTTA LAUGH AT THEM !!! 20

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What a legend!

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Average footballer, vile human being- ask his brother.

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funny.....your missus didn't complain

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What do you think of Ashley Cole,John Terry and Wayne Rooney,off the pitch then?

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Jam and in the BEDROOM!!!!

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ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

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Is it Natasha behind the mask?

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NO...YOUR WIFE MATE

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