Ryan Giggs points out a Manchester United player better than Cristiano Ronaldo

Ryan Giggs overlooked Cristiano Ronaldo when asked: "Who is the best Manchester United player you have ever played with?"

Giggs spent 24 years with the Manchester United first team, playing in countless star-studded lineups and winning a record 13 Premier League titles. Giggs was also part of United’s golden era from 2006 to 2009, during which they secured 6 major trophies.

During that period, the top star of Manchester United was Cristiano Ronaldo with his peak in the 2007/08 season, when he helped United win both the Premier League and the Champions League, as well as claiming the Ballon d’Or. Nevertheless, Giggs did not select his junior teammate as the best player he played alongside at United.

In an interview with Premier League Productions in 2020, Giggs said: “People always ask me: ‘Who is the best player you have ever played alongside?’ In terms of ability and what he achieved later with Real Madrid, Juventus, and the Portugal national team, it’s probably Cristiano. But the best Manchester United player I ever played with is Scholesy.”.

“There is no one like him. I feel that on my best days, I could do most of what other players do, but I could never do what Scholesy did.”, Giggs praised.

“You always want to play with Scholesy when the team has the ball, both in training and matches. As soon as Scholesy receives the ball and turns, just make your run forward. He doesn’t even need to look; the ball will be passed exactly where you want it,” Giggs added.

Like Giggs, Scholes is a legend from Sir Alex Ferguson’s Class of ’92. He is recognized as one of the greatest central midfielders in football history. Scholes’ signature skill was his long-range passing.

Not only Giggs but many football legends of the same era such as Zidane, Henry, Xavi, and Messi have all named Scholes as the midfielder they would most like to play with.

Scholes initially retired after the 2010/11 season but famously returned to play for Manchester United in January 2012 under Sir Alex Ferguson. He ended his illustrious career with a Premier League title in his final season before retiring permanently in May 2013.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo left United in 2009 and achieved countless successes wherever he went, from Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr to the Portugal national team. Ronaldo returned to United in 2021 before leaving the club in November 2022 following a controversial press conference with Piers Morgan.

Ronaldo is one of the greatest football legends ever, but just considering Manchester United, his influence still cannot match Scholes. Beyond being a symbol of skill, Scholes holds a special place in the hearts of United fans due to his loyalty and 22-year career at Old Trafford.