download All Football App

Giggs reflects on iconic FA Cup semi-final goal against Arsenal 21 years ago

  /  autty

The magic of the FA Cup has provided countless iconic moments and on this day 21 years ago it did just that when Manchester United took on bitter rivals Arsenal.

The back end of the 1998-99 season saw the two teams vying for the Premier League and the FA Cup - with the pair meeting in semi-final stages of the latter.

An enthralling replay at Villa Park on April 14, 1999 saw 10-man United edge out as 2-1 winners in extra-time courtesy of Ryan Giggs' stunning solo run.

That goal has become synonymous with the Red Devils' treble-winning campaign.

Reflecting back on that goal, Giggs says it was purely instinctive.

When I was playing I never ever watched it but obviously, I’ve had kids and they have never seen me play so it is good to watch it back with them so they can see what the old man used to do. It was us and Arsenal back then. We were the two brilliant teams, we were so alike, similar characters and two great managers and at that time, the rivalry was at its peak.

I had come off the bench and was having a nightmare actually. I had given the ball away a couple of times so I said to myself next time I am going to have a dribble and run.

We were down to 10 men, it was one of those times that was purely instinctive, running with the ball and beating players and next thing I knew I was in the box and decided to shoot. Scholesy was free in the box screaming for it but I thought I am in the box I am going to shoot.

I don’t want to see that celebration. Scholesy nearly took his top off, that would have got me out of jail. But I didn’t even see him, it was purely instinctive. I made my decision that I was gonna run at the arsenal defence and when I got in the box I didn’t see any other option than shoot.