VOTE FOR RIO FERDINAND

WHETHER it's in the playground or on a Premier League pitch, everyone has a moment when they want the ground to swallow them up.

Mine came playing in a media match during the 1992 European Championships in Sweden.

The English Press were pitted against the French, whose 'ringers' included Jean Tigana and Alain Giresse. It was hard going, especially as one of our ex-pros was a very big Ron Atkinson.

Increasingly frustrated at chasing shadows, I let our midfield playmaker have it when I didn't get the pass I was looking for. "To feet, Bobby, to f****** feet!"

For a second there was stunned silence, then a ripple of applause as our other striker strode onto a glorious defence-splitting pass to pull one back. At 55, Sir Bobby Charlton still shone like a beacon even in the company of the only recently retired Tigana and Giresse.

And I had the temerity to bollock him. D'oh! Quite rightly, I got dogs' abuse. But not from Sir Bobby. As ever, he took it all in his stride and had a laugh about it. What a player. What a man.

Ryan Giggs is cut from the same regal cloth and has made the same imperious transition from outstanding winger to midfield playmaker.

Giggs, though, is still human. Remember a few years ago when even he wanted the ground to eat him up after missing an open goal against Arsenal? A rare blip in an astonishingly long career.

And given his impact at the sharp end of a season that sees United pursue a historic quintuple, Giggs is now being touted for Footballer of the Year.

Incredibly, he's never won the title from the PFA or Football Writers Association. He should have won both accolades in 1999 but David Ginola sneaked in because there was a huge split in the vote for United's Treble-winning team.

Great

So it would seem fitting if Giggs is at last honoured. But, for me, he won't have played enough games. Besides, given United's machine-like strength this season is based on their defence, it really ought to go to a defender.

Edwin van der Sar can boast record-breaking clean sheets - but so could Heurelho Gomes if he was performing behind Rio Ferdinand.

He has missed quite a few games, but has been United's inspiration even when he's not played. He is the team leader of a what has emerged as a great team.

It's really down to the Queen to do Giggsy proper justice by tapping him on the shoulder with a sword. A knighthood would really put Giggs on the pedestal he deserves alongside Sir Bobby.

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