Giggs responds to Hall of Fame snub as United legend defends Amorim’s rebuild
Ryan Giggs says Hall of Fame omission isn’t a distraction as Manchester United push for progress under Ruben Amorim and a clearer long-term plan
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has said he will not lose sleep over his omission from the Premier League Hall of Fame, underscoring that his career was defined by trophies and consistency rather than recognition alone.
Giggs is a record 13-time Premier League winner, two more than his former Manchester United teammate Paul Scholes, and he remains the competition’s all-time assists leader with 162. He made 632 Premier League appearances, a figure that sits high in the competition’s history. Yet he has never been nominated for the Hall of Fame since the honor was established in 2021. No official reason has been given for his absence, though some observers have suggested off-field controversies have weighed on the deliberations. Under the Hall of Fame’s rules, players must have retired prior to the start of the year of their nomination, a criterion Giggs has acknowledged as part of the process.
Speaking to Daily Mail Sport via BetSelect, Giggs said the Hall of Fame was never the primary aim of his career and that he does not dwell on potential nomination. "It's not something I really think about," he said. "If it happens, great. If it doesn't, I won't lose sleep over it." The former winger added that he does not know who makes the final decisions and that he remains focused on the work he did on the pitch rather than the honor.
Historically, the Hall of Fame has inducted a wide array of players since its inception. The 2021 class included Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Dennis Bergkamp, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham. The 2022 cohort featured Wayne Rooney, Patrick Vieira, Sergio Aguero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes and Ian Wright. In 2023, Tony Adams, Petr Cech and Rio Ferdinand were inducted, followed by Ashley Cole, Andy Cole and John Terry in 2024, with Gary Neville and Eden Hazard slated for 2025. The rules emphasize milestones such as Premier League appearances, single-club loyalty, and major career honors, alongside retirement status, as gatekeepers to eligibility.
Giggs has suggested that, while he respects the criteria and acknowledges he meets several milestones, the Hall of Fame remains outside the central arc of his career. In the meantime, attention remains on Manchester United’s performance and the club’s broader strategic direction rather than individual accolades. United’s season has been defined by a push to reset after a difficult 2024-25 campaign, with the focus firmly on progress under new manager Ruben Amorim and on laying foundations for sustained success.
On the club side, Giggs also weighed in on United’s trajectory under Ruben Amorim this season, noting visible improvements but stressing the need for patience and more transfer activity. "We don't expect to win the league this year, maybe not even next year, but we want to see improvements. Is it winning the FA Cup? Is it getting a Champions League spot? Is it being more consistent? And he needs time to do that," Giggs remarked. He added that Amorim has the backing of the club, but warned that a balance between short-term results and a longer-term plan is essential, particularly in a club under constant global scrutiny.
Giggs emphasized the risk in a cycle of quick managerial changes and the difficulty of building a sustained winner at United. He noted that while the manager has moved on players who did not fit his plans, he believes the current squad contains promising talent and could benefit from a couple more transfer windows. "He’s got rid of the players he doesn’t fancy, the Sanchos, the Antonys, the Rashford, and he’s got good players in. He needs a couple more transfer windows," Giggs said. Still, he cautioned that results must improve steadily, and that fans’ expectations at Manchester United remain high given the club’s profile and history. "But United, unfortunately, with the world’s media watching you, you have to win games consistently. And that’s probably where we fell short. I do think we have improved, and I believe a Champions League spot is up for grabs this year."
Manchester United sit sixth in the Premier League table, two points shy of the top four that would secure Champions League qualification, a target Giggs underscored as part of the season’s broader objective. The former midfielder and current pundit stressed that the club’s current approach should combine prudence with ambition, allowing Amorim to implement his system and gradually integrate players who fit his tactical plan.