Much of the footballing community has come together this week in support of former England international Aaron Lennon.

The 30-year-old Everton winger was detained under the Mental Health Act for a stress-related illness and taken to hospital "for assessment".

One man who certainly understands the demands of being in extremely high-pressure situations at the highest level is Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.

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The Welsh wing wizard spent his entire 24-year playing career at Old Trafford, making 963 appearances, scoring 168 goals and winning an incredible 35 trophies.

After his retirement in 2013, Giggs remained at United in coaching roles under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal for a further three years, and he's now opened up about what he did ahead of his first season away from the game for nearly 30 years.

Giggs on life outside football

The 43-year-old revealed that he visited a psychiatrist at the beginning of last summer in an effort to cope with life outside of football, who told him to keep busy in the weeks following his Man Utd departure.

Giggs worked frequently with ITV during Euro 2016 and he wrote in the Telegraph, via The Mirror: "My whole life had been mapped out during my 28 years at United.

"I was at a major point of transition in my professional and private life. I knew it would be difficult psychologically."

The ex-Man United captain also discussed the impact stress had on his career and admitted that there was "too much at stake" for him to enjoy matches.

"Stress is something I learned to take seriously as a player and I can say that I struggled with the pressure at times," he added.

"I do not know what has affected Aaron (Lennon), but I always struggled in the periods I was out the team or playing badly. I had a feeling of worthlessness."

Everton have confirmed that Lennon is now receiving treatment and Ronald Koeman has stated that the club will "provide support" to the ex-Tottenham wideman.

It's another example of just what can happen to sportsmen and sportswomen at the highest level, and shows that the mental side of the game is growing in its influence.

What do YOU make of Giggs' revelations and what happened to Lennon this week? Leave YOUR opinion in the comments box below!