Ferguson hails 'outstanding' Giggs

12 April 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed evergreen winger Ryan Giggs after the Welshman became the 11th player in Manchester United history to score 100 league goals for the club.

Giggs' first-half tap-in after Stephen Bywater had parried Cristiano Ronaldo's shot into his path, ended an anxious opening 40 minutes against relegation-threatened Derby and put United on the road to an eventual 4-1 win and Ferguson found it strange there was no announcement to mark the 33-year-old's achievement.

"I am surprised there was no announcement," said Ferguson. "Maybe no-one knew but I certainly did. It is a fantastic achievement, absolutely marvellous."

He added: "Not many players have scored 100 league goals but the service Ryan has given us, quite apart from the goals, is outstanding."

Although Derby worked hard, and gained some consolation when Steve Howard slid in to convert their first away goal of a league campaign that seems certain to end in relegation, they never seriously threatened once Giggs had struck.

Carlos Tevez added a second before half-time, then belted home his eighth goal of the season on the hour mark.

However, he was denied the opportunity to complete a hat-trick by Cristiano Ronaldo, who rejected the South American's plea to take the penalty after the winger had earned a debatable decision from referee Chris Foy following Tyrone Mears' tackle.

"Carlos Tevez is making a great contribution this season," said Ferguson. "Cristiano is our regular penalty-taker so I can understand why he wanted to take it but it would have been great for Carlos if he had scored a hat-trick."

Rams boss Jewell believes his side, who remain marooned at the bottom, have much to learn from United, not especially in terms of skill, but definitely their application.

"The thing that sets these top players apart is that they do have talent but they also have a massive desire to do well. "Ryan Giggs is as hungry now as he was when he first came into the team. It may take time but it is something I want to try and instil into my own players.