Phelan: Giggs feats unbeatable

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Giggs, 35, has won 10 Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, two Carling Cups and two Champions Leagues with United, is in the hunt on all four fronts this season.

"Anything is possible but in some ways, what Ryan has achieved is ridiculous," said Phelan. "To get one Ryan Giggs is terrific. Whether it can be achieved again, I don't know."

Giggs aims to celebrate his one-year contract extension by helping United ease past Derby to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

Phelan added: "It is not just the trophies but the amount of games he's played, the competitions he's been in, the opportunities to get to a final with a good team. These factors play a part.

"He has also had a little bit of luck along the way, especially with injuries. He has had one or two but has come through them. We have a lot of talented players below the first-team squad but they need to watch the likes of Ryan and try to be as good as him."

Now 35, Giggs made the first of his 787 appearances for the Red Devils in May 1991, just a year after Phelan helped Sir Alex Ferguson's team win the FA Cup.

While his former team-mate has gone on to enjoy a largely unbroken spell of success at club level, Phelan lasted just three more seasons before leaving for West Brom.

"I was probably the one who left when he came through," he laughed. "It all starts with the coaches saying they have some raw talent. That filters through to the dressing room, then everybody wants to have a sneaky look.

"That is the time when you start to panic because you know he is coming through and is going to be there for numerous years. It will either push you further forward or he will push you out. That is the natural progression for a football player."