Manchester United decide not to retire Ryan Giggs’ iconic number 11 shirt

There will be a new person in a #11 shirt at Old Trafford soon

Manchester United have decided not to retire Ryan Giggs’ iconic number 11 shirt and will give a member of the current squad the opportunity to make it their own next season, report the Telegraph.

The 40-year-old midfielder called time on his illustrious career earlier in the week in order to take up a role as Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United assistant at Old Trafford.

Many clubs have opted to remove a shirt number from circulation following the retirement of a long serving or prestigious player that has made an impact on the club’s history, most notably when West Ham United retired Bobby Moore’s number six jersey.

However, the Red Devils are keen for a youngster amongst their current crop of players to wear the shirt, with Adnan Januzaj touted as the potential recipient.

Although the choice to retire a shirt is admirable, United believe that a similar approach to their number seven shirt is a more fitting plan of action.

A host of iconic players have donned the shirt for the club including Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo over the years, but currently lies unallocated following Antonio Valencia’s decision to relinquish it last season.

The prospect of following Giggs may well be a difficult act to follow, but the chance to wear an iconic number previously used by a club legend can also galvanise a young player.