Best is yet to come from Manchester United, warns David Moyes
Manchester United routed Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 -- their biggest European away win for 56 years.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: November 29, 2013 09:33 AM IST
Manchester United manager David Moyes has said that the best is yet to come after they routed Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 in the Champions League -- their biggest European away win for 56 years.
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United qualified for the knock-out stages and stayed top of Group A with their biggest away victory in Europe since beating Shamrock Rovers 6-0 in September 1957.
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"The best days are still to come and there will be even better days," said United manager Moyes on Wednesday in Leverkusen.
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"The main thing is that we have qualified and stayed top of the group, it's great to score five goals away from home, but I want it to be something we do regularly, not just every now and then.
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"To come to Germany and win 5-0 is superb, Leverkusen have a good home record which puts it in perspective."
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A volley from right-back Antonio Valencia and an own goal from Leverkusen centre-back Emir Spahic gave United a commanding early lead before defender Jonny Evans added a third with an hour gone.
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England defender Chris Smalling added their fourth on 77 minutes after he met Wayne Rooney's chip at the back post.
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Nani then latched on to Giggs's superb long ball for a fine solo goal for the fifth on 88 minutes with the Leverkusen defence in tatters.
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Leverkusen deservedly suffered their first home defeat in 14 games since losing 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga back in March.
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Bayer need to win at Real Sociedad in a fortnight and hope United beat Shakhtar Donestk at Old Trafford to reach the knock-out phase.
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England striker Rooney, who played a hand in the first four goals, and ever-green Welshman Ryan Giggs, who turns 40 on Friday, were singled out for praise by Moyes after outstanding displays.
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On the eve of Giggs' 40th birthday, Moyes said that the former shows no signs of slowing down.
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"People have mentioned his age, but you can't question his footballing ability. He's an unbelievable player," said Moyes.
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"He's getting better, just his vision alone for the final goal for Nani.
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"You couldn't say he needed to come off and I am lucky to work with him. He just keeps getting better.
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"You just keep playing him and Ryan will tell us when he's had enough.
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"He works really hard in training and produces these great performances."
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With Dutch striker Robin van Persie to return from a groin injury, Moyes said he is eager to keep Rooney fresh.
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"Wayne doesn't need a rest, he's in form and fit, but I'll be watching for if he does. If the opportunity comes I will make sure I keep him as fresh as I can," said Moyes.
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"He's one of those players better off playing regularly, but I don't want to find him having to sit out for five or six games in the middle of the season."
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Having succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as United manager at the start of the season, Moyes basked in the glory of his best night in office.
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"The goals will take the headlines, but I thought we defended well tonight, it's not just about the goals for me, but the team performance," said the Scotsman, whose side host Shakhtar Donestk in a fortnight.
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"The next part is to win the group in the next game, but we want to do well in all competitions.
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"Sunday (the 2-2 Premier League draw at Cardiff City) was a slip up, but the biggest thing for me is that we are improving and progressing."
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Bayer Leverkusen boss Sami Hyypia admitted his side had been out-classed and showed United too much respect.
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"It's not very pleasant to sit here after a game like that. We lost belief after they went 2-0 up," he said.
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"We tried to pull things back after the break, but their third goal was the end of the match.
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"After they went 2-0 up, they didn't stand so deep and started to counter, we failed to make any openings.
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"It sounds a bit strange, but I hope this result is good for us in the future and everyone thinks about where we went wrong."
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But he said United can reach the Champions League final.
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"They can go all the way, I think they played very well and after those early goals, they could sit back, wait for us to lose the ball and hit us on the counter.
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"If they score first, it will be difficult for any opponent to play against them."