Manchester United's veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs has been named the best player in English Premier League history at an award ceremony to celebrate 20 years of the elite soccer division. The Welshman, 38, has played in every season, winning the title on 12 occasions and scoring 107 goals.
Glorious Giggs —
Manchester United's veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs has been named the best player in English Premier League history at an award ceremony to celebrate 20 years of the elite soccer division. The Welshman, 38, has played in every season, winning the title on 12 occasions and scoring 107 goals.
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Alex Ferguson has led the Old Trafford side to all 12 titles. The 70-year-old Scot's contribution was rewarded with the best manager honor.
Awesome Alex —
Alex Ferguson has led the Old Trafford side to all 12 titles. The 70-year-old Scot's contribution was rewarded with the best manager honor.
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Former England striker Alan Shearer is the highest scorer in Premier League history, with 260 goals in spells with Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
Shear delight —
Former England striker Alan Shearer is the highest scorer in Premier League history, with 260 goals in spells with Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
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Goalkeeper David James has kept the most clean sheets, stopping the opposition from finding the net on 173 occasions for Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
Defiant David —
Goalkeeper David James has kept the most clean sheets, stopping the opposition from finding the net on 173 occasions for Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's stunning overhead kick against neighbors Manchester City in February 2011 was named the finest goal in Premier League history.
Head over heels —
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's stunning overhead kick against neighbors Manchester City in February 2011 was named the finest goal in Premier League history.
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Arsenal's title-winnersof the 2003-04 season made history by becoming the first and only team to be unbeaten in a Premier League season. Arsene Wenger's side, which included stars like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira, won the best team award.
'The Invincibles' —
Arsenal's title-winnersof the 2003-04 season made history by becoming the first and only team to be unbeaten in a Premier League season. Arsene Wenger's side, which included stars like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira, won the best team award.
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The recently concluded 2011-12 season was chosen as the best of the Premier League era, having ended with Manchester City scoring two goals in stoppage time to beat Queens Park Rangers and steal the title from archrivals Manchester United on goal difference.
Blue moon rising —
The recently concluded 2011-12 season was chosen as the best of the Premier League era, having ended with Manchester City scoring two goals in stoppage time to beat Queens Park Rangers and steal the title from archrivals Manchester United on goal difference.
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In September 2009, United defeated City in the Manchester derby with a stoppage-time winner from Michael Owen. The dramatic match was chosen as the Premier League's best in 20 seasons.
Derby delight —
In September 2009, United defeated City in the Manchester derby with a stoppage-time winner from Michael Owen. The dramatic match was chosen as the Premier League's best in 20 seasons.
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The public also voted for an all-time Premier League fantasy team. Denmark's Peter Schmeichel was chosen as the goalkeeper, for his performances during seven seasons with Manchester United before stints at Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Premier League fantasy team: The goalkeeper —
The public also voted for an all-time Premier League fantasy team. Denmark's Peter Schmeichel was chosen as the goalkeeper, for his performances during seven seasons with Manchester United before stints at Aston Villa and Manchester City.
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The defense includes two former United captains, with newly-appointed England coach Gary Neville selected at right back alongside Serbia's Nemanja Vidic. Arsenal's title-winning skipper Tony Adams is also included, along with Chelsea and England left back Ashley Cole.
The defenders —
The defense includes two former United captains, with newly-appointed England coach Gary Neville selected at right back alongside Serbia's Nemanja Vidic. Arsenal's title-winning skipper Tony Adams is also included, along with Chelsea and England left back Ashley Cole.
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The midfield also features veteran Manchester United stars Giggs and Paul Scholes, who recently announced he will continue to play next season. Former United winger and current Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo is selected, with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard completing the quartet.
The midfielders —
The midfield also features veteran Manchester United stars Giggs and Paul Scholes, who recently announced he will continue to play next season. Former United winger and current Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo is selected, with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard completing the quartet.
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The Premier League's all-time leading scorer Shearer is paired with Arsenal legend Henry, who netted 176 league goals in eight years with the Gunners.
The strikers —
The Premier League's all-time leading scorer Shearer is paired with Arsenal legend Henry, who netted 176 league goals in eight years with the Gunners.
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Premier League: 20 seasons of greats

Story highlights

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs is named the best player in the EPL's 20-year history

United's legendary boss Alex Ferguson receives the best manager award

Wayne Rooney's overhead kick for United against City in February 2011 is named best goal

Arsenal's "Invincibles" of the 2003-04 season named the league's best ever team

CNN  — 

Since its inception in 1992, the English Premier League has grown into one of football’s most compelling and commercially successful domestic competitions.

To celebrate two decades of top-level soccer, the finest players and managers to have graced the competition have been honored at this week’s “20 Seasons Awards.”

The big winners were Manchester United, the team which dominated the era by collecting 12 championships.

United’s veteran Welsh midfielder Ryan Giggs was named top player, having featured in every Premier League season and scoring 107 goals.

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United’s legendary Scottish manager Alex Ferguson was also honored, having like Giggs been part of all 12 title triumphs.

“Being named as the best player in the 20 seasons of the Premier League is a tremendous honor for me,” Giggs, 38, told the league’s official website, “and very humbling when you consider some of the brilliant players who were nominated alongside me.”

There was also an award for the Old Trafford team’s star striker Wayne Rooney, who received the “Goal of 20 Seasons” gong for his stunning overhead kick against archrivals Manchester City in February 2011.

United’s 4-3 defeat of neighbors City in September 2009, which included a winning goal from striker Michael Owen in stoppage time, was voted the finest Premier League match.

But despite United’s dominance, Arsenal’s championship-winning side of the 2003-04 season took home the Best Team prize.

Known as “The Invincibles,” the London club is the only team to remain unbeaten throughout an entire Premier League campaign.

The full list of award winners feature in the gallery above. Do you agree with the judges’ choices? Have your say in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

Player of 20 Seasons: Ryan Giggs

Manager of 20 Seasons: Alex Ferguson

Team of 20 Seasons: Arsenal 2003-04

Goal of 20 Seasons: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) v Manchester City, February 2011

Match of 20 Seasons: Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City, September 2009

Public vote Fantasy Team of 20 Seasons: Peter Schmeichel (Man Utd), Gary Neville (Man Utd), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Tony Adams (Arsenal), Ashley Cole (Arsenal/Chelsea), Ryan Giggs (Man Utd), Paul Scholes (Man Utd), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), Thierry Henry (Arsenal) , Alan Shearer (Newcastle).