Old and the new: Ryan Giggs with Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov Photo: PA
But the Wales international is convinced Sir Alex Ferguson's latest crop could go on to overshadow all of their myriad achievements.
He said: "Last year, we won the Champions League and the Premier League, and we won them in great style. But to talk of a great team, you need six or seven consecutive years of dominance. This side is good enough to do that, because all of our young players can improve. Basically, this year I think we have the best United team ever."
Such a bold proclamation looked unlikely at the start of the season as Ferguson's side struggled to find their form after the excesses of the previous year. The European champions stuttered at Liverpool and at Arsenal and drew at Everton, Tottenham and even allowed Newcastle to escape Old Trafford with a point.
The fug hanging over the club at the start of the campaign appeared to have cleared as United picked up the Club World Cup last month and returned from Japan in ominous form. Their back line has not been breached in the league since that defeat at the Emirates, 10 games ago. Ferguson's side have won six league matches in a row.
Giggs said: "There is always a lot of attention on us and during a season, every team has a tricky period. We knew it would be an awkward start with some difficult games but we've been playing much better since. Hopefully we can keep up the momentum.
"The goal is to win a third consecutive Premier League title. In the Champions League, we already realise it will be extra hard to protect our crown. All our rivals would love to knock out the holders.
"The title race comes first, because it's the ultimate test to finish top after 38 games. Then comes the Champions League, but in every competition many different factors come into play, like taking your chances, coming into form at the right time and having a bit of luck."
It is easy to see why maintaining domestic superiority is important to United. Winning an 11th crown in 17 seasons would not only bring them level with Liverpool's record of 18 league titles, but also match the spell of dominance achieved by the great Anfield sides of the Seventies and Eighties. United would be well and truly on their perch.
Where that leaves the small matter of the FA Cup is a distant third, though there will be added spice to Saturday's fourth-round clash by virtue of Tottenham's manager being Harry Redknapp, the man whose Portsmouth side dashed United's hopes of a second treble last season.
Redknapp has vowed to play the "weakest side he can find" in deference to his team's relegation battle, but he will be relieved to know United's side will be hamstrung by a raft of injuries. Brazilian midfielder Anderson on Thursday had a scan on an ankle which, if broken, could rule him out for three months.
He will join a packed treatment room, with only Wes Brown and Jonny Evans likely to be given the all-clear before the end of the month.
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