This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/27/bayer-leverkusen-manchester-united-champions-league

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ryan Giggs sparks Manchester United rout of Bayer Leverkusen Ryan Giggs sparks Manchester United rout of Bayer Leverkusen
(about 2 hours later)
David Moyes was not expected to be "a fish in water" at Manchester United, according to José Mourinho, but he is adapting swimmingly to life in the Champions League. United cruised into the knock-out phase with a game to spare in Group A as they dismantled Bayer Leverkusen, the second-placed team in Germany, with the finest result and performance of the the new manager's era. David Moyes would not be "a fish in water" at Manchester United, according to José Mourinho, but he is adapting swimmingly to life in the Champions League. United cruised into the knock-out phase with a game to spare as they dismantled Bayer Leverkusen, the second-placed team in Germany, with the finest result and performance of Moyes's reign.
Directed superbly by the seemingly ageless Ryan Giggs, and illuminated by the touches of Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa, United routed Sami Hyypia's side with arguably their finest European away performance since the 2011 semi-final win at Schalke. It was their biggest win away in the European Cup since defeating Shamrock Rovers 6-0 in 1957. Directed superbly by the ageless Ryan Giggs, and illuminated by the creativity of Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa, the Premier League champions routed Sami Hyypia's side with arguably their best European away performance since the 2011 semi-final win at Schalke. It was their biggest away win in the European Cup since defeating Shamrock Rovers 6-0 in 1957 and a significant step in Moyes's development work at Old Trafford.
First place in the group will be assured with a point at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, but that can wait. Moyes will first want to savour this comprehensive dismantling of a Leverkusen team who boasted a proud unbeaten home record before kick-off, but were ultimately cut to shreds. "I'd say it is the best performance so far because of the clean sheet and five goals," the United manager said. "But I want this to be a regular thing, not just something we do now and again."
Moyes was not exactly blessed with options in central midfield due to Michael Carrick's injury and Marouane Fellaini's suspension but that does not detract from the remarkable feat contained within it. Giggs started two days shy of his 40th birthday, an age when most would struggle to climb the stairs at the refurbished BayArena, with Phil Jones alongside having recovered from a groin injury suffered on England duty last week. First place in Group A will be assured with a point at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on 10 December but that can wait. Moyes will first savour a statement victory by any European standard and one that looks more impressive given the absences in the United ranks and Leverkusen's form coming into the contest.
Giggs was part of the United squad that lost here in the 2002 semi-finals, when Klaus Toppmöller's serial runners-up advanced on away goals before succumbing to Zinedine Zidane's sublime volley for Real Madrid at Hampden Park. Another member of United's class of 2002 was also present, Sir Alex Ferguson, albeit enjoying the comforts of the VIP section on this occasion. The former United manager would be dragged back in time by Giggs's commanding performance. Hyypia had overseen the club's best start to a Bundesliga season with 10 wins from 13 matches, only the might of Bayern Munich keeping them from the summit, and they faced United seeking a ninth consecutive home win in the Champions League, a proud record stretching over three campaigns. They departed in a dishevelled, sorry state.
Initially it was the composure and authority of the remarkable 39-year-old that stood out for United, wearing black armbands in memory of Bill Foulkes. Leverkusen's three-man attack converged on the visitors' central defence from the opening whistle and Rio Ferdinand was particularly indebted to Giggs for clearing up several loose touches. United had the injured Michael Carrick and suspended Marouane Fellaini missing from central midfield but that does not detract from the remarkable feat contained within it. Giggs started against formidable opponents two days shy of his 40th birthday, an age when most would struggle to climb the stairs at the refurbished BayArena, and his contribution would have looked good on a 20-year-old.
As Giggs began to break forward with an immaculate touch and vision, however, so Moyes' team assumed a surprising degree of control. They were within touching distance of qualification for the knock-out phase with only a third of the game gone. Giggs was part of the United squad that lost here in the 2002 semi-finals, when Klaus Toppmöller's serial runners-up advanced on away goals before succumbing to Zinedine Zidane's exquisite volley for Real Madrid at Hampden Park. Another member of United's class of 2002 was also present, Sir Alex Ferguson, albeit enjoying the comforts of the VIP section on this occasion. The former United manager would be dragged back in time by Giggs's commanding performance.
Giggs created United's first opportunity of the night with a reverse pass inside the penalty area to Nani, who lofted a decent opening high over Bernd Leno's goal. The midfielder was also heavily involved when the visitors took the lead just as Leverkusen were threatening to dominate midway through the first half. Initially it was the composure and authority of the remarkable 39-year-old that stood out for United, wearing black armbands in memory of Bill Foulkes. Leverkusen's three-man attack converged on the visitors' central defence from the opening whistle and Rio Ferdinand was particularly indebted to Giggs for clearing up several loose touches. As Giggs began to break forward with immaculate touch and vision, however, so Moyes's team assumed control. They were within sight of qualification with only a third of the game gone.
In the space of two minutes Emir Spahic headed over from Gonzalo Castro's corner, Castro shot wastefully high after Jonny Evans allowed a Leverkusen defensive clearance to reach the United area and Stefan Kiessling was denied by the defender's fine interception having beaten Ferdinand easily on the edge of the box. United took the lead just as Leverkusen were threatening to dominate. In the space of two minutes Emir Spahic headed over from Gonzalo Castro's corner, Castro shot wastefully high after Jonny Evans allowed a Leverkusen defensive clearance to reach the United area and Stefan Kiessling was denied by the defender's fine interception having beaten Ferdinand easily on the edge of the box.
Seconds later, the flow of the game and the mood of the crowd turned full circle. From the corner that followed Evans' excellent block on Kiessling, United cleared and Kagawa dispossessed Stefan Reinartz in central midfield. Enter Giggs. The Welshman was quickly on the scene to take on possession and release Rooney down the left. Seconds later the flow of the game and the mood of the crowd were reversed. From the corner that followed Evans's excellent block on Kiessling, Kagawa dispossessed Stefan Reinartz in central midfield. Enter Giggs. The Welshman was quickly on the scene to take on possession and release Wayne Rooney down the left. Rooney floated an inviting cross into the centre for Kagawa, who failed to connect, as did Emre Can behind him, enabling Antonio Valencia to steal in unmarked to convert at the back post.
Rooney floated an inviting cross into the centre for Kagawa, who failed to connect, as did the defender Emre Can behind him, enabling Antonio Valencia to steal in unmarked to convert the chance at the back post. Kagawa and Rooney were also instrumental when United doubled their advantage. Reinartz fouled the Japan international down United's left and Rooney swept the resulting free-kick into the heart of the Leverkusen six-yard box. Two defenders rose with Chris Smalling and the ball sailed off the head of Spahic – his eyes closed – into the unguarded half of Bernd Leno's goal.
United almost doubled their advantage when Giggs took their next attack to the byline and his cross ultimately deflected into Evans' path. The defender's shot and the follow-up from Jones were both blocked, but the visitors did not have to wait long for the comfort of a second goal. Kagawa and Rooney were again instrumental in the second goal. Reinartz fouled the Japan international on United's left and Rooney swept the resulting free-kick into the heart of the Leverkusen six-yard box. Two defenders rose with Chris Smalling and the ball sailed off the head of Spahic – his eyes closed – into the unguarded half of Leno's goal. Moyes' men United remained comfortable, in stark contrast to the frustration running through the Leverkusen ranks. Hyypia's team were clearly unprepared for United's superiority and their own, error-strewn performance; hardly surprising given they last lost at the BayArena in March. They simply could not cope with Rooney and Giggs, who were involved in four and three of the United goals respectively.
Moyes' men remained comfortable, in stark contrast to the frustration running through the Leverkusen ranks. Hyypia's team were clearly unprepared for United's superiority and their contribution to it. Hardly surprising considering their confidence coming into the game. Giggs's corner produced the third for Evans, when Patrice Evra flicked on the delivery, Leno saved from Rooney at close range and the Northern Ireland defender bundled the ball home. Number four was a delight, Kagawa flicking the ball through to Rooney inside the area, the striker chipping Leverkusen's overworked keeper and Smalling arriving from an onside position to convert.
Hyypia has admitted to hankering after a return as manager to Liverpool, the club he served with such distinction for a decade, and his work at Leverkusen cannot have gone unnoticed across Europe. He has guided Leverkusen to their best start to a league season, 10 wins from 13 matches, and only the formidable power and wealth of the reigning European champions, Bayern Munich, has kept the Finn's team off the Bundelisga summit. Another indication of United's achievement was Leverkusen's home record coming into the penultimate contest in Group A – eight consecutive wins stretching over three Champions League campaigns. The fifth showed Giggs at his most creative. A first-time flick sent Nani clear of the German defence and, having rounded Leno, the winger clipped a nonchalant finish over the line. Leverkusen were left swimming with the fishes, not Moyes.
Giggs's influence continued throughout. His corner produced the third for Evans, when Patrice Evra flicked on the delivery, Leno saved from Rooney at close range and the Northern Ireland defender Evans bundled the ball home. Number four was a delight, Kagawa flicking the ball through to Rooney inside the area, the striker chipping Leverkusen's over-worked keeper and Smalling arriving from an onside position to convert into an empty net.
And the fifth showed Giggs at his most creative. A first-time flick sent Nani clear of the German defence and having rounded Leno, the winger clipped a nonchalant finish over the goal-line. United were simply faultless.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.