The Manchester United winger holds the distinction of being the only player to have scored in every Premier League campaign, writes Graham Hiley.

The sequence was maintained by his spectacular 25-yard free-kick which set the champions on the way to a 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on 12th September.

It is a record which dates back 17 years and one which he would dearly love to continue. And on current form, no-one would back against it.

Although the Welsh wing wonder will be 36 in November, he looks as sprightly as ever and has already set his sights on finding the net again for an 18th successive Premier League season.

He told premierleague.com: "It is a great record to have and one I am very proud of. And I would love to keep it going.

"I will keep playing as long as I can and while the manager wants me. As long as I am enjoying my football and getting the same buzz then I will carry on.

"Hopefully I can keep going next season and then ideally I would love to score early in the campaign - like I did this time round - before the pressure builds to keep the run going!

"I had not really taken much notice of the record until it was mentioned by the press but it is something I am thrilled to have - especially as it has continued for so many years.

"When I started out as a youngster I never thought this far ahead. Being 35 or 36 was a long way away then but looking back now I do feel proud to have been there at the start of the Premier League and to still be performing there now.

"It is probably something which will mean more to me once I eventually retire. At the moment I am just focused on my game and doing well for United but in the future it will be something special to treasure.

"At the moment I don't really look at milestones although some mean a lot like beating Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record for the club. When you look at the history and tradition of Manchester United, that is special.

"I equalled the record on the day we won the title at Wigan last year which is why my goal that day is probably my favourite from all my years in the Premier League."

Already the most decorated player in Premier League history with 11 titles to his name, Giggs is as hungry as ever for further honours.

Any doubts over the midfielder's ability to continue shining at the highest level were swept away by his sensational show in the heat of the Manchester derby.

The evergreen Welshman inspired United to a 4-3 victory, setting up the stoppage-time winner with a pinpoint pass few others would have seen let alone executed with such brilliant accuracy.

The fact the 35-year-old was still able to have such an impact after 90 minutes of high-octane action is testament to the way Giggs has re-invented himself to keep pace with the ever-changing game.

He explained: "I have looked after myself and I have tried to change my game.

"I am no longer a left winger who kicks the ball past the full-back and chases after it.

"I play more inside now and I use the ball more. I'm not as quick as I used to be so I have had to develop.

"It helps playing alongside quality players who are on the same wavelength but I feel comfortable with the way things are going.

"I was pleased with my performance against City and I suppose a lot was made of it because it was such a big game and I set up a few of the goals.

"But I need to make sure I stay at that level and keep the consistency I did not always have when I was younger.

"And I also try and use my experience to help youngsters in the same way that I was helped by the likes of Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson, Mark Hughes and others.

"It is tough for youngsters coming into the game - but I'm not sure it is that much harder to break through now even though the game gets quicker and stronger and better each season.

"When I came through most squads had just 14 or 15 players and there was not the same rotation there is now.

"In those days you had only a couple of substitutes so it was harder for the manager to gamble on an a young Reserve. Now it is easier to name a youngster on the bench and then if you are winning comfortably, bring them on and give them a chance.

"And a lot of clubs also use the Carling Cup to give a run-out to inexperienced players.

"Just being around the first-team helps them because they can see what is expected of them so I think good players will always come through."

Giggs' career is also being prolonged by Sir Alex Ferguson's careful use of the wily Welshman who said: "The manager has been brilliant for me.

"He knows I cannot play twice a week over a long time so he picks and chooses when to play me.

"I have my own training regime to keep me fit and that has worked really well and the way he has rotated the squad has helped too.

"I gave up international football a couple of years ago because I felt it would benefit me and that has certainly been the case. Hopefully that will continue."

As the longest serving outfield player in the Premier League, Giggs is perfectly placed to judge how the game has changed beyond all recognition since 1992.

He added: "No-one could have predicted just how successful it would become. The Premier League is now the best in the world.

"The exposure has got greater with each season and expectations have grown bigger both for individuals and for teams.

"The facilities are now so much better and the quality of the players has improved. There have been so many great talents who have made this the best league in the world.

"You can see that from the fact that English clubs have dominated the Champions League in recent years.

"You watch other leagues and they do not compare with the Premier League. It is by far the best to watch and I am delighted to still be part of it."