Manchester United v Bayer Leverkusen
No wonder David Moyes doesn’t want to curb Wayne Rooney’s natural aggression.
When the Manchester United forward is producing the kind of irresistible form he is right now, there is nothing to be gained from holding him back.
Rooney may not have scored here in Germany but he played a pivotal role in the Red Devils' crushing victory, the architect of three of their goals with a hand another
Allied to Rooney’s match-winning contribution was the enduring brilliance of Ryan Giggs. He may turn 40 on Friday, but he played with the vigour and endurance of a man 10 years younger.
Giggs lasted the full 90 minutes and it was fitting, ahead of his milestone birthday, that it was he who provided the assist for United’s final goal, a majestic, instinctive pass over the hosts' defence for Nani to score.
Afterwards, Moyes eulogised about Giggs, and rightly so.
United’s veteran campaigner proved he can still be called upon to deliver at this level, playing with effortless grace and guile in the centre of midfield.
His appearances may be rationed given his advancing years, but against opponents more than 10 years his junior, Giggs ran the midfield, his diligence, awareness, vision and touch providing the platform for United’s emphatic win.
Moyes deserves huge credit for successfully guiding United to the knockout stage – with a game to spare - in his first experience of the competition proper.
Succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson was always going to be a difficult task, and while United’s domestic fortunes have fluctuated under Moyes this season, they have fulfilled their remit in Europe.
Three wins and two draws has seen United through to the next phase of the competition, with a point needed in their final group game, at home to Shakhtar Donetsk on December 10, to confirm them as group winners.
With Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all likely to win their respective groups, finishing top is key to United avoiding such potentially dangerous last 16 opponents.
As poor as Leverkusen were – how are they second in the Bundesliga on this evidence? - United were electric from start to finish in the BayArena, producing their best display under Moyes.
With Rooney continuing his fine form, Shinji Kagawa finally showing his worth in the No.10 role and Giggs defying the onset of age with another classy performance, United were unstoppable.
Bayer Leverkusen v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League
On target: Valencia celebrates the opener Getty Images
Pre-match, Moyes had said he was looking for “a result of sorts”, hinting he would be happy with a draw, but they certainly did not begin with a cautious mindset that suggested a point would suffice.
United began the rout in the 22nd minute with a brutally swift counter-attack.
Kagawa won the ball deep inside his own half and found Giggs, who surged forward before funnelling possession out to Wayne Rooney on the left side.
Rooney took one look up before clipping a teasing cross into the area which, with Kagawa having run the length of the pitch and drawn two defenders to him, left Antonio Valencia free to turn the ball at the far post.
It was no more than United deserved for their positive and vibrant start and they had only to wait until the half-hour mark to double their lead, Stefan Reinartz conceding needless a free-kick with a clumsy challenge on Kagawa.
Rooney produced a defender’s nightmare of a delivery, which proved the case as Spahic, under pressure from Chris Smalling, sent a glancing header backwards into his own net.
The goal sapped any remaining resolve from the hosts, who lacked any real conviction thereafter going forward, enabling United to see out the first-half with the security of a two-goal cushion.
Rooney’s set-piece expertise has been something to admire this season, with van Persie and Evra scoring against Arsenal and Cardiff respectively from his delivery from corners.
Statistics showed Kagawa covered the most ground of any player on the pitch, 12.38km, the figure testimony to his impressive display, in which he revelled in his favourite role.
With Rooney the preferred choice to play just off van Persie, Kagawa has had little chance to perform in the position in which he excelled for Borussia Dortmund before his move to United.
But with van Persie absent, Kagawa thrived playing in the hole behind Rooney, his guile allied to impressive industry, which enabled United to build a platform for victory by the break.
Leverkusen hit a post through Reinartz on the hour, with David De Gea blocking the rebound from Spahic, although the defender was ruled offside.
Jonny Evans scored 25 minutes from time, tapping-in from close-range, with Chris Smalling adding a fourth in the 77th minute and Nani completing the win with the fifth.
United’s travelling fans were in full voice throughout, going through their full repertoire of songs, on a night when Moyes took another significant step forward in leading the club towards a new era of success.
How Group A stands
P W D L GF GA Pts
q-Manchester United 5 3 2 0 11 3 11
Shakhtar Donetsk 5 2 2 1 7 5 8
Bayer Leverkusen 5 2 1 2 8 10 7
Real Sociedad 5 0 1 4 1 9 1
Remaining fixtures (Tuesday, 10 December): Manchester United vs Shakhtar Donetsk, Real Sociedad vs Bayer Leverkusen.
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