London, Dec. 12 (ANI): The secret of Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson’s success is a lucky red hat that he nicked off Welsh wizard Ryan Giggs in November 1996.

Ferguson can be seen sporting the scruffy old woolly bonnet in training the day before any big encounters, including on the eve of both his Champions League triumphs in Barcelona and Moscow.

Fergie reckons the only mistake Giggs has ever made, letting him ghost in on the blindside to nick his hat. And he will not be giving it back to him.

“The only time Ryan has ever let himself down is letting me steal his Welsh bunnet. He is never going to get it back, because it is lucky for me. I have always worn it,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

“I pinched it off him when we were in Turkey before a game against Fenerbahce. At the time, I just thought it would look better on me than him!” he added.

Giggs has had to rely on a black United woolly hat, yet he certainly has not lacked any good fortune since losing the red one to his team manager.

And Ferguson thinks the veteran Welsh winger’s incredible career should be recognised tomorrow night in a phone vote for the 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

“If Ryan hasn’t a chance of winning Sports Personality of the Year, then what does that say? I just hope Ryan gets the award he deserves. He has retained that amazing quality in his game and also his enthusiasm to play. I think longevity should be rewarded,” Ferguson said. (ANI)