Ryan Giggs is Manchester United's most decorated player in their history
Wales boss John Toshack believes Ryan Giggs' scintillating form is partly because the Manchester United star has retired from international football.
The vintage 35-year-old rolled back the years to score one and create another in United's 2-1 Champions League win over German team Wolfsburg in midweek.
Giggs also inspired top-of-the-table United's victories over Stoke and Manchester City in the Premier League.
"Not being involved for Wales has probably helped him," Toshack admitted.
Giggs, United's most decorated player with 22 major trophies, has the most goal assists in the Premier League so far this season and Wales could certainly do with the reigning PFA Player of the Year doing a U-turn on his international retirement.
The Welsh winger, who quit playing for the national team after his 64th cap two years ago, had apparently told Wales assistant manager Roy Evans there is still a part of him that is desperate to play for his country again.
But Toshack said: "I don't think he will be coming back into our fold as a player, he knows deep down it's not on and we know too."
Giggs has stepped up to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo's £80m world record summer transfer to Real Madrid and he has laid on five goals for team-mates while scoring two of his own - both free-kicks, one spectacular and one fortunate.
Ryan now seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself more than he has ever done
Wales manager John Toshack
The one-club man and 11-time Premier League winner has been universally praised for his performances over the past 12 months.
And United boss Sir Alex Ferguson ran out of superlatives to describe Giggs after his display against Wolfsburg in midweek when he maintained his record of scoring in every Champions League campaign since its inception.
"Ryan is playing really well," acknowledged Toshack.
"Ryan felt it was best to retire to prolong his club career and he did it the right way.
"He found it particularly difficult after back-to-back Wales games and felt the pinch when he went back to his club. He took time to recover.
"And Ryan is in a situation at Manchester United where the pressure is not on him like it was when he played for us.
"As at his club he has players like Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick and previously Ronaldo around him to take the strain."
Giggs was Wales' international superstar and was always singled-out by opposition teams who believed to stop Wales meant stopping Giggs.
"When he was with us, there was so much pressure on him," said Toshack.
"Ryan now seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself more than he has ever done.
"I know Fergie is delighted with him and and if retiring from Wales has helped him prolong his career, then we wish him all of the best.
"Retiring from Wales might be one of the factors of him playing so well as having a two week break when international matches gives him a much-needed rest.
"Like Raul with Real Madrid and Spain, it is certainly something that has not gone against him.
"But Fergie uses Ryan the right way, resting him in some games and using him as an impact substitute in others so they are all factors why he is still playing so well at the top level.
Giggs, one of the finest players never to qualify for a major finals, called time on his Wales career in June 2007 following a goalless draw with Czech Republic.
Wales, who have suffered a host of retirements under current boss Toshack, are suffering a mini-midfield crisis for next week's double-header with Finland and Lichtenstein as Jack Collison, Simon Davies and Brian Stock are out.
Giggs and Wigan Athletic playmaker Jason Koumas still play in the top-flight while Robbie Savage, Paul Parry and Carl Fletcher are regulars in the Championship.
But Toshack has ruled out trying to persuade one of Wales' old boys to return for their final World Cup qualifiers as he puts his faith in his current squad as Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey and Dave Edwards are expected to be joined in midfield by the recalled David Vaughan.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?