Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Ryan Giggs for being a “model” professional as the Manchester United winger prepares to join a select band who have made 100 appearances in the Champions League.

Giggs, 34, was rested for the FA Cup victory against Arsenal at the weekend so he would be in peak condition to face Lyons in the first leg of the knockout phase tomorrow.

The Welsh international’s career at the top level of European club competition has spanned 15 years and shows no sign of slowing down.

“There are only a few players who have reached that milestone [100 Champions League appearances], Ferguson said. "That is because of Ryan’s ability, his longevity and how he prepares - you just have to look at his lifestyle.

“He is obviously at a successful club as well and for me he has been an absolute model in his time with us. Even at 34 we expect big things from him.

“We do not play him in every game but that is natural for someone of his age - but he will play tomorrow. It will be a great occasion for Ryan and we are all proud of him.”

Ferguson believes the bigger the game the better Giggs performs - and he has gone on to become United’s most successful player in terms of medals won in a glittering career that has seen him amass 526 appearances for United, 63 as a substitute, and score 143 goals.

He will become the first player to reach the century mark in the Champions League in a United shirt, though David Beckham ended with 103 appearances in the same competition, his hundredth came while at Real Madrid.

“Ryan has reserved his best performances for the big occasions,” Ferguson added. “When players are asked to be challenged in a big way, it is in European football. You talk about the great nights at Old Trafford and the atmosphere there.

“It can only be because the right type of players are playing on that stage and Ryan has produced many great moments.”

Ferguson has a host of options in France with only injured duo Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre unavailable.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the club’s leading scorer, has recovered from the stomach virus that saw him sidelined at the weekend. Carlos Tevez and Owen Hargreaves could return to the starting line-up after being rested.

Meanwhile, Alain Perrin, the Lyons coach, believes United's open style of play gives his side a great chance of causing an upset. "We can rightly compare this to a tennis match between the second-ranked player in the world and the 15th-ranked player," he said. "In ten matches, we would lose six or seven of them. But we would win the others.

"And English football always gives an opponent the hope of succeeding. The game is less padlocked than in Italy, for example, and you get the feeling you can achieve something against them. But you always return to the same old axiom: there are exceptional players that make the difference. Cristiano Ronaldo is on fire at the moment, and [Wayne] Rooney is really strong."

Perrin is confident his underdogs will give it a good shot against United over the two legs. "We know we are not favourites," he said. "But that is going to allow us to play with a certain calmness, in the hope of causing an upset."