May 04, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 27, 1429

LONDON, May 3: Winger Ryan Giggs can break Bobby Charlton’s record number of appearances for Manchester United in the Champions League final against Chelsea on May 21 after playing against West Ham United on Saturday.

Charlton’s record has been listed as 759 appearances since he played his last match for the club in 1973.

However a recent re-examination has shown that Charlton’s tally included an FA Cup third-round tie against Bolton Wanderers in January 1962 which he actually missed because he was taken ill on the morning of the match.

Giggs, 34, came on as a substitute in United’s 4-1 victory over West Ham for his 757th appearance.

He will beat Charlton’s record if he plays against Wigan Athletic in United’s final Premier League game of the season next Sunday and then also appears in the Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow on May 21.

Asked on Sky Sports TV whether Giggs could break the record this season, a smiling Ferguson replied: “There’s a chance, I think there’s a very good chance.”

Since making his League debut against Everton in March 1991, Giggs has won nine Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and the Champions League in 1999.—Reuters