Giggs joins Old Trafford legends as Tevez blows away Derby

But whatever the club's modern-day superstars go on to achieve at the Barclays Premier League's biggest club, they will never earn a tribute on a par with that afforded Giggs by his manager last week.

Looking back on his 21 years at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'One of the most important things I have ever done at this club was getting Ryan Giggs signed up.

"If I hadn't come to the club when I did he'd have ended up playing for Manchester City, without question.

"My first real challenge was to get Ryan signed up to us on schoolboy forms at 14 and we worked hard at that — myself and staff like (former assistant manager) Archie Knox and Jim Brown, our then chief scout. We were up at Ryan's door every night until we got him signed.

"We put a lot of work in, Archie and myself, that can't be disputed. But it was fantastic for us because it was a great challenge. This was Manchester United and we managed to get him when he appeared set to sign for City. It paid off, of course. Just look at him now."

Captain in the prolonged absence of Gary Neville, Giggs is enjoying — at 34 — a glorious Indian summer.

Who would have thought that a player who traditionally relied so heavily on pace and athleticism would have been able to reinvent himself so spectacularly in order to extend his career at the very highest level? But Giggs' intelligence has always formed a fundamental part of his make-up and the first-half goal he contributed to break Derby's stubborn resistance on Saturday was his 100th in the League for his one and only club.

As he closes in on Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record at United, it would appear there will be a few more yet.

United and England defender Rio Ferdinand said: "Ryan does not get the credit he deserves for what he has achieved in the game.

"I am not just talking about winning medals and trophies, but also about the quality he has provided up and down the left wing for so many years.

"There are not too many accolades that you can give that will adequately sum up somebody of Ryan's quality. He is terrific and just so important for us."

If Ferguson had all his attacking players available to him this season, it would be interesting to see if Giggs would find a way in to his team.

Chances are he may not. But his value remains undiminished to a club that will need a deep squad if it is to meet its targets this season.

Against Derby, Giggs followed up when Stephen Bywater parried Ronaldo's 40th-minute shot and scored from close range to puncture Derby's resilience and effectively seal the game.

A second goal — this time from the improving Tevez — quickly followed and the stage was set for United's latest four-goal haul of this goal-laden season.

Giggs was not United's best player on this occasion — that was Rooney, with Tevez not far behind. The Argentina striker provided an exquisite finish to edge his team three ahead on the hour and, after Steve Howard scored out of the blue, Ronaldo earned a late penalty. The Portuguese converted the spotkick himself to complete the scoreline.

Ronaldo had to disappoint willing penalty takers such as substitute Louis Saha and a Tevez, who was after a hat-trick, to score his 14th goal of the season but there were no lasting complaints.

Ferdinand added: "Had it been 1-1 then Cristiano would have taken it. So it's the same at 3-1. He was just being professional."

For new Derby manager Paul Jewell it was an afternoon that will have taught him much about the team who currently sit bottom of the table.

Derby were terrific — well organised, disciplined and energetic — until they fell behind, but lacked the ability to lift themselves once United were galvanised by their first goal. If the club from the East Midlands are to escape, and it is unlikely, then they have the right man in charge. But Jewell feels his players have some lessons to learn.

"Wayne Rooney epitomises United in terms of his effort and his hard work,' said the former Wigan boss. 'United don't just have brilliant players, but team players who have great football brains.

"If I was not manager of Derby County then it would have been a joy to watch them today. Players like Ryan Giggs have the same hunger and desire that he had when he first came to this club.

"It's great to have ability but these players have desire as well and it's this quality that I want to instil into my players."