Manchester United's Ferguson and Giggs Honoured with Premier League Awards

Manchester United veterans Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs have been voted as the greatest manager and the best player over the past 20 seasons of the Premier League. The awards ceremony, held to celebrate the twenty years that top flight English football has been held under the Premier League banner, saw prizes awarded for the greatest player, goal, save, manager, match, etc.

Ferguson and Giggs have helped the Red Devils to 12 league titles in their time together.

The 70 year old Scottish manager beat the likes of Arsene Wenger (Arsenal), Harry Redknapp (Tottenham), David Moyes (Everton) and Jose Mourinho (former Chelsea manager) to get this award.

"I've known him since I was 13. He knew my name, my parents' names and the little details had a big impression on me. It's the personal touch that sets him apart from anybody else. He's the biggest influence on my career," said Giggs, according to Manchester United's official web site.

The 38 year old Welshman rode to his award after fending off other legends, including teammate Paul Scholes, former Arsenal strikers Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp and ex-United players Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo. On receiving the award, Giggs expressed his happiness although he admitted he was disappointed to lose this year's league title to rivals Manchester City.

"It's disappointing not to win the title, but it has been an exciting season. But we're obviously gutted, although we're proud of the way we've played this year. There are a lot of positives to take from this season," the Telegraph quoted Giggs as saying.

"I have enjoyed the 20 seasons - that's why I'm still playing, I enjoy it more than ever. I will go on as long as I'm still enjoying it and I'm getting picked. I feel good at the moment," he added.

"It's a fantastic double. This is testament to what the club has achieved over the last 20 years," BBC quoted David Gill, the club's Chief Executive, as saying.

Apart from Ferguson and Giggs, former United striker Alan Shearer and goalkeeper David James also received awards - for Most Premier League Goals (260) and Most Premier League Clean Sheets (173) respectively.