Giggs: The Autobiography - Tapa dura

Ryan Giggs first played for Manchester United in the season before the Premiership began; back when Bryan Robson was still captain. He took possession of United's left wing and then never loosened his grip. Over a fourteen year career so far, he's seen them all come and go: Cantona, Schmeichel, Beckham and the rest.

United's Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, said of Giggs 'I knew we had an outstanding talent when we gave him his debut.' That was back in 1991, but it remains as true in 2005 as it ever was. Giggs has been a pivotal figure in United's dominance of the Premiership. There have been rivals but no other team can match the their sustained record of success over recent years. And Giggs is the only player to have played in all eight of those title winning campaigns.

Off the pitch, Ryan Giggs has always closely guarded his private life. But here he opens up for the first time, sharing details of the sometimes turbulent childhood that shaped him and the relationships that have mattered to him to reveal the man behind the famous number 11 red shirt.

The most decorated player in the Manchester United's history and, on his debut, the youngest player ever to play for Wales, Ryan Giggs has been part of a football revolution. Now, in telling his side of the story, he's taking us to the heart of that story and shining a light behind the closed doors of the world's biggest football club.

Also in evidence on these pages are the hunger for success that drives him and the sharp footballing brain that guides him. One thing seems clear: the Old Trafford crowd will be singing 'Giggs will tear you apart again!' for a few years yet ...

Ryan Giggs was born in Cardiff in 1973. He has played for Manchester United since he joined their youth team, aged 14.

Joe Lovejoy is the chief football writer for the Sunday Times and the author of bestselling biographies of George Best and Sven Goran Eriksson.