LONDON, England (AFP) — Ryan Giggs is planning to use his BBC Sports Personality of the Year award as a bargaining tool as he looks to extend his glittering Manchester United career for another season.

Giggs, who turned 36 last month, succeeded sporting greats including the late Sir Bobby Moore, Sebastian Coe and Ian Botham when he collected the prestigious honour on Sunday.

And he revealed afterwards that he is planning to carry on playing for another season after the current campaign, joking that his newly acquired trophy could help ease the negotiations.

“I might have to put this trophy on the table if I’m struggling,” he said.

“My contract ends at the end of the year (season) but hopefully there will be another year after that.”

Giggs won the award in recognition of a career that has made him the most decorated player in English football with 11 Premier League, two European Cup, four FA Cup and three League Cup winners’ medals to his name.

But he said winning the BBC’s award ahead of Formula One world champion Jenson Button and world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis was a match for any of those.

“The names of genuine legends of world sport are on this trophy — I never dreamed I would win it,” he said. “I was honestly surprised just to be on the list of nominees.

“I have been lucky enough to win a lot of things in my career, playing with great players and under the greatest manager that ever lived, and playing for the greatest club.

“This is up there with all of that. I grew up watching this and to see all the people who have won it and to be up there with them, it’s unbelievable.”

Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager who was one of United’s senior pros when Giggs broke into the first team, paid tribute to the combination of raw talent and self-discipline that has made the winger so successful.

“I’m absolutely delighted for him. I played in his debut and I remember when he was a 14-year-old taking the mickey out of Viv Anderson, who was then England’s right-back,” Bruce, now the manager of Sunderland, recalled.

“He was fantastic. His debut was something like 20 years ago and he scored against Manchester City.

“What he’s done — 11 Premier Leagues, is it? — it’s frightening, the way he looks after himself. He’s the total package.”