It is 30 years since Ryan Giggs scored an emphatic goal to win the derby for Manchester United against Manchester City.
During his illustrious Manchester United career, Ryan Giggs scored 168 goals for the club, and his 1999 winner in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal is best remembered.
One goal which is too easily glossed over came in the pre-internet era of 1996, when the Welshman struck an emphatic winner to seal a dramatic derby win against City.
Giggs’ winner at Maine Road came exactly 30 years ago on April 6, 1996, with Manchester United in the midst of a dramatic title fight with Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle.
Eric Cantona opened the scoring before City drew level. Andy Cole then restored a 2-1 lead. The home side equalised in the second half before Giggs unleashed an impressive strike to earn a 3-2 win.
Match Result: 06-04-1996
TIME SCORER TEAM
06′ ERIC CANTONA MAN UTD
39′ M. KAVELASHVILI MAN CITY
40′ ANDY COLE MAN UTD
71′ UWE RÖSLER MAN CITY
77′ RYAN GIGGS MAN UTD
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Ryan Giggs of Manchester United
8 Apr 1996: Ryan Giggs of Manchester United celebrates during an FA Carling Premiership match against Manchester City at Maine Road in Manchester, England. Manchester United won the match 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/Allsport
Ryan Giggs’ goal: A special instinctive strike
What made Ryan Giggs one of the most exciting teenagers in world football when he broke into the Manchester United team in the early 90s was his natural instinct.
Giggs made the step up from youth football to the first team at the start of the decade and looked like he belonged.
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By 1996, Giggs was a seasoned veteran in the Manchester United team, already a two-time Premier League title winner, FA Cup winner and League Cup winner. All at the age of 22.
With the score poised at 2-2 and City fighting for their lives, Giggs stepped up as match winner and made it look so easy.
Eric Cantona was the orchestrator of the move, collecting the ball in the City half and driving at the defence. He played a pass forward into Giggs’ path on his left, and the Welshman then took over.
Giggs allowed the ball to run across onto his left foot, and from outside the box he unleashed an unstoppable strike high into the top corner at the near post.
The angle of Giggs’ strike was impressive, and the type of goal only a footballing genius would be able to execute. It was a goal worthy of winning any game, especially a derby match.
GOAL can be viewed below at the 4:10 mark
The first time goal reflected Giggs’ instinctive traits that made him such a joy to watch during the first phase of his career at the club.
While he scored several solo goals where he left defenders trailing in his dust, this was a goal where he allowed his vision and technique to do the talking.
In 1999 he scored a combination of the two, where he waltzed through Arsenal with a solo run before smashing the ball from a tight angle over David Seaman into the roof of the net.
This goal against City had the ingredients of the second part. Giggs unleashed his left foot and thundered the ball high into the top corner.
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The impact of United’s 3-2 win over City in 1996
Manchester United had spent 1996 clawing back the 12-point advantage Newcastle held at the start of January.
United had miraculously overhauled Newcastle by the time the Manchester derby was held in 1996, but needed to win to maintain the advantage.
Giggs’ dramatic winner ensured United stayed ahead, and kept up the impressive form that saw Sir Alex Ferguson’s side win 1-0 at St. James’ Park.
While there was a brief wobble later in April in the infamous ‘changed kits’ game away at Southampton, United went on to clinch the title by four points.
Giggs’ winning strike had another impact – it helped to relegate Manchester City.
City were relegated a month later on goal difference. If they had been able to secure a 2-2 draw against United, they would have survived.
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