Giggs still hungry for glory

Ryan Giggs hopes for international success to match his United achievements

Ryan Giggs claims he wants to win his medal haul all over again - because it is getting harder each season at Manchester United.

The Cardiff-born star claims success for Wales is still the one achievement he desperately wants.

He was speaking after joining up with Mark Hughes' national squad for Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Belarus.

The United flyer said: "This is the best form of my life, it all seems to be coming together.

I just hope that I can continue like this and to also put right the one thing I have missed, and that is success in a major tournament with Wales

  Ryan Giggs

Best chance

"I just hope that I can continue like this and to also put right the one thing I have missed, and that is success in a major tournament with Wales.

"That's what I want now, and maybe we have the best chance in years to do that, without any real top nation in our group."

Giggs has revealed the inner strength and desire that still drives him on, despite already having six titles and a European Cup winners' medal in a locker that includes 16 major honours.

The 27-year-old said: "The feeling of winning gets better because it has all got harder to achieve. It gets harder and harder each year as I get older."

Giggs' ambition has not been dulled by success, and he added:

"I still want to win as much as ever. It's a good habit to get into. You have to keep performing and I don't feel any different or any less hungry than I did 10 years ago.

"It's getting more difficult to win games and to win championships because everybody is really up for it when they play United. But that just makes me more determined.

"It's always getting harder and you have to be on your toes more. Just because you have won everything doesn't mean you don't want to win it all again."

Giggs also accepts the challenge to United as a club is matched by the pressures on him from within Old Trafford to maintain his position in their glory-laden side.

Giggs is in the form of his life with United

Young pretenders

That challenge, he claims, comes from youngsters hell-bent on forcing their way into United's side.

He said: "I'm always looking over my shoulder, there's plenty of young lads who want my place, and that also keeps me determined and motivated.

"We have probably three players for each position so you have to be determined and keep looking over your shoulder.

"I remember when I came into the side about 10 years ago, I know what I wanted and that must be how the kids feel now. But now I know how the older players used to think about people coming up behind them.

"I'm as determined to keep my place as anyone, you have to be if you want to stay in Manchester United's side.

"I remember when I was 17, I wanted to get to the first team and there are kids around now much younger than me who want the same thing."

Giggs has been told by his club manager Sir Alex Ferguson and national boss Hughes that he is playing the best football of his life, and Wales are desperate for him to turn it on in Minsk.