And, while his return of 168 goals is someway short of Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 249, only six players have found the net on more occasions for the Red Devils than the Welshman.

He scored his first goal in United colours as a teenager during the Manchester derby at Old Trafford back in 1991, with his last coming at the age of 39 nearly 22 years later.

It was in fact at Loftus Road two years ago today that Giggs found the net for the final time in his career.

United, who were heading for the Premier League title, were already 1-0 in front thanks to right-back Rafael da Silva, who broke the deadlock during the first half with a stunning strike from distance.

Hosting Queens Park Rangers had chances to draw themselves level as the encounter wore on, but it was Giggs that made sure of the outcome 10 minutes from time.

In the build-up, Danny Welbeck rolled the ball to full-back Patrice Evra, with the Frenchman in turn playing it into the path of Nani on the edge of the QPR box.

That was Giggs's cue to move in behind centre-backs Christopher Samba and Clint Hill and his run was picked out perfectly by the Portuguese playmaker.

Then, as the angle was narrowed by advancing home goalkeeper Julio Cesar, the veteran midfielder, who was making his 999th appearance for club and country, clinically fired his shot across the face of goal and into the far corner of the net.

As Giggs celebrated in front of the travelling supporters with his teammates in West London, little did anyone know that it would be the last time that he got his name on the scoresheet before his retirement in the summer of 2014.

However, he did go ever so close to scoring a second goal against the R's in the closing stages when his chipped effort cannoned against the crossbar.

After the final whistle, QPR manager Harry Redknapp said of Giggs: "He's just an amazing player - a great professional [and] top drawer."

QPR: Cesar; Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Traore; Mbia, Granero (Jenas), Mackie, Taarabt, Townsend (Hoilett); Zamora (Remy)

MAN UNITED: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Giggs, Young (Valencia); Van Persie (Welbeck), Hernandez (Rooney)