DHAKA: Ryan Giggs announced he was retiring from his career as a player following his appointment as assistant manager to newly-installed Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

The 40-year-old one-club man revealed his decision in an open letter to supporters published on United’s website.

His statement signalled the end of the career of English football’s most decorated player with Giggs, the winner of 34 major trophies, bringing down the curtain on a 23-year career featuring a United record 963 appearances.

‘Today (Monday) is a fantastic day for Manchester United,’ Giggs, caretaker manager for the final four games of the season after the club sacked David Moyes, wrote, The Straits Times publishes this report on Tuesday.

BDST: 1428 HRS, MAY 20, 2014