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Premier League

Steve Bruce knew Ryan Giggs was going to be a superstar when he saw him play as a 14-year-old.

Sunderland boss Bruce was an experienced central defender at Manchester United when the precocious Welshman emerged through the ranks to launch his glittering career.

On Saturday he will be in the dug-out at Old Trafford while Giggs, now approaching 36, will hope for another chance to demonstrate he has still what it takes on the big stage after scoring his 150th goal for the club in the 2-1 Champions League victory over Wolfsburg.

Bruce said: "I don't mean it disrespectfully to Gary and Phil [Neville] and to Nicky [Butt] and to Paul [Scholes] - and David Beckham was amongst them too - but the one absolute certainty when we first saw him play was Giggsy.

"He was the only one I could ever see, hand on heart, and say 'He is going to be a superstar' because it was effortless for him, even as a 14 or 15-year-old.

"He was playing with us in training sessions and I remember him murdering Viv Anderson in one particular training session when he was a kid at 15, and Viv wasEngland's right-back.

"He was such a natural runner, such a natural mover, such a wonderful dribbler with the ball.

"It was all so easy for him, so natural. It made him the outstanding player.

"But there's also the mentality thing. To go and do what he has done from being a boy is nothing short of remarkable."

Giggs has 11 Barclays Premier League titles and two Champions League winners medals among his extensive collection of honours.

But it is the fact that he has sustained his level of performance for so long since breaking into the first team - he has made a record number of appearances for the club - which has impressed his former team-mate.

Bruce added: "He was man of the match again last night at 35. Sometimes we use the word 'great' too often, but when he has hung up his boots and you think of the achievements of Ryan Giggs and what he has done over the last 17 or 18 years, it's nothing short of staggering.

"The superlatives have all been said about him, but he is and has been a truly great, great player who we have all enjoyed watching.

"The way he has conducted and handled himself and his desire still at his age to be the best player is nothing short of incredible.

"He is a fantastic player."

Asked if Giggs is the perfect example to any young player trying to make his way in the game, Bruce replied: "Possibly.

"You look at what he has won, but he still has the hunger, the desire and the energy last night to be in tip-top condition, and to still be playing left-hand side for Manchester United against the German champions at 35 is nothing short of remarkable.

"All the stuff that's been said about him is true, He is a really genuinely good lad who's done particularly well."

Sunderland head for United with midfielder Lee Cattermole, who came off at half-time during last Sunday's 5-2 win over Wolves, back in the frame, although defender John Mensah is a doubt with a calf problem.