( CNN ) -- Ryan Giggs is venturing where few footballers have gone before . On Friday the Welshman turned 40 , marking the start of a new chapter of a career which has seen him achieve unprecedented success with Manchester United . Twenty two years , eight months and 27 days on from his debut for the Old Trafford club , Giggs is officially the most decorated player in English football history . The explosive winger turned midfield playmaker has won 13 Premier League titles , four FA Cups , four League Cups and two Champions League titles , not to mention numerous personal accolades . Whle most middle aged men are worrying about their waistlines , Giggs seemingly remains impervious to the ravages of time . So just what is his secret ? According to the man himself -- yoga . `` You can feel it working and you can feel the benefits straight away , '' he was quoted as telling the Manchester Evening News . `` My body feels so much better having done the yoga . `` I still get the odd hamstring strain , which you are going to get playing football , but it was n't about curing the problem , but making it less frequent . I wish I had done it from the start of my career . '' At an age where most players have long since hung up their boots , 8308 days on from his first United appearance as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat by Everton , Giggs is demonstrating rare longevity . `` Ryan is obviously a different player now compared to when he broke through as a 17-year-old winger , '' Henning Berg , who played alongside Giggs at United between 1997 and 2000 , told the club 's official website . `` But that says a lot about how football has developed in terms of sports science to make sure that players still have enough power and energy to play the physical part of the game . '' Even accounting for advances in sports science , Giggs ' ability to remain effective at the top level as he enters his fifth decade is still exceptional . Italian defensive stalwart Paolo Maldini , a picture of durability and the rock of a successful AC Milan defense for 24 years , called time on his own glittering career at Giggs ' age . Brazilian striker Romario retired in 2008 aged 42 , before making a one-game comeback in 2009 , saying he was unable to regulate his body weight while not playing regularly . It is Giggs ' ability to remain in peak physical condition which sets him apart from other aged soccer stars . Few players could have controlled a top-level match the way Giggs did this week , orchestrating United 's 5-0 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen in a Champions League group match . United manager David Moyes , who took over from Ferguson at Old Trafford , is still a keen admirer of Giggs ' talents . The Scot highlighted Giggs as the perfect role model for any young player looking for a long , successful career in the sport . `` People mention his age but all you should mention is his football ability , '' Moyes , who has appointed Giggs as a player/coach , told a press conference . `` He 's an unbelievable footballer . All round he is a wonderful player and I am really fortunate to be working with him . `` Ryan will tell us when he has had enough , or when he thinks his time is up , '' the former Everton manager added . `` He keeps training day in day out and his performances since I came to the club in the summer have been excellent . `` I think , when you get to Ryan 's age , it 's best to make decisions at the end of the season . It 's how you feel , how you 've done over the year and what your body is telling you . `` There 's no quick decisions on that one . He 's on the staff now , so we can always use him at any time ! '' Giggs also credits his continued influence and fitness to spending his entire career at one club , avoiding the upheaval which can accompany numerous transfers . `` If I 'd moved from club to club I 'd be finished by now , '' Giggs said after his virtuoso performance in Leverkusen . `` I 'm lucky that I have been at one club , where I am surrounded by good players . I also have a good manager . `` I look after myself and try to train every day in order to make myself available for selection . `` I enjoy it as much as I can and , of course , try to contribute to the team . '' For much of his time at United Giggs was part of a group of homegrown players affectionately known as the `` Class of 92 '' -- referring to the year United won the FA Youth Cup . Giggs , David Beckham , Paul Scholes , Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville all broke into the first team together and went on to achieve era-defining success under the tutelage of legendary United manager Alex Ferguson , who retired last season after 26 years at the helm . In his recently-released book Ferguson refers to Giggs as the leader of the group , who are celebrated in the forthcoming documentary `` Class of '92 . '' `` He was the King , the man , '' says Ferguson when referring to his longest serving players . On Sunday Giggs could make his 954th appearance for United in its match against Tottenham Hotspur . At 40 , he is four years older than Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas , a statistic which puts Giggs ' incredible staying power into perspective .
Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs celebrates 40th birthday on Friday . The Welshman made his United debut in 1991 . Giggs is the most decorated player in English football history . He has won 13 Premier League titles and the European Cup twice .