Thursday, 28 November 2013

Voller: Leverkusen were slaughtered by United

15:05

By: TBMU Admin On: 15:05   In:   No comments

Voller: Leverkusen were slaughtered by United

Voller: Leverkusen were slaughtered by United

Posted: 27 Nov 2013 03:08 PM PST

The Premier League champions romped to victory in the Group A UEFA Champions League fixture at the BayArena, as they sealed their place in the round of 16 in style. Leverkusen were two goals down after 30 minutes - an Antonio Valencia strike and an Emir Spahic own goal had given United the early lead - and they never recovered. Stefan Reinartz hit the post with a header on the hour-mark but any attempts at a fight-back were snuffed out by Jonny Evans' 65th-minute goal. And late strikes to Chris Smalling and Nani saw Leverkusen slip to third in their group and on the verge of being knocked out. "We will require some time to let this one sink in. We made a few mistakes and Manchester United, the quality team that they are, punished us for these mistakes," Voller said. "We didn't have enough willpower in the second half to turn the game around. It was poor. Perhaps we have too much respect against teams like this. "Nevertheless, we can't allow ourselves to be slaughtered like this." Leverkusen midfielder Simon Rolfes admitted his side capitulated once Evans got Manchester United's third goal. "That was a really tough evening for us," Rolfes said. "The second goal broke down our morale a bit although we actually had a decent start to the game. After the third goal the game was over." Leverkusen now need to better Shakhtar Donetsk's result on the final matchday of Group A to qualify. Sami Hyypia's side – who are a point behind Shakhtar - play their final match in Spain against Real Sociedad, who have lost all five of their group matches.

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Moyes elated with best performance of season

Posted: 27 Nov 2013 02:32 PM PST

United booked their place in the last 16 with a convincing performance in Germany on Wednesday, as strikes from Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Nani, as well as an own goal from Emir Spahic, gave them the points in Group A. The result extended United's unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions and Moyes was full of praise for his side's efforts. "This is probably the best performance of the season. For us to come away from home and score five goals is really special," Moyes said. "There were so many great performances. All around it was a great performance from the players. That is what I was hoping to get more often this season." Shinji Kagawa, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs were all excellent in United's victory and Moyes singled out the Welsh veteran, who turns 40 on Friday, in particular for his performance. "You cannot question Ryan Giggs as a football player," the Scot added. "He didn't look fatigued for his age at all. There are signs that we have been getting better." Giggs, meanwhile, praised his side's attacking prowess after a superb five-goal haul. "We really killed them on the counter-attack and it was a pleasure to play behind the front four," he said. "In the second half we could have scored more goals but to score five goals anywhere in Europe is brilliant."

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UEFA Champions League: Leverkusen 0 Man United 5

Posted: 27 Nov 2013 01:37 PM PST

The Premier League champions made a bright start at the BayArena and took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when Wayne Rooney's cross was converted by Antonio Valencia at the far post. They doubled their advantage just eight minutes later as Rooney's free-kick was nodded into his own net by Leverkusen defender Emir Spahic. Stefan Reinartz headed onto the post after the break for Leverkusen, but the visitors added a third when Jonny Evans tapped home in the 65th minute. Chris Smalling scored a fourth with 13 minutes left, firing Rooney's lobbed ball into an open net, before Nani scored an exquisite late chip to consign Leverkusen to third in Group A with one match to play. Leverkusen forward Sidney Sam – a major part of the club's best-ever start to a Bundesliga season – missed out with a thigh injury, as Reinartz and Spahic came in for the hosts. United boss David Moyes, meanwhile, made four changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Cardiff City on Sunday, with Shinji Kagawa, Nani, Ryan Giggs and Phil Jones all drafted in. Leverkusen immediately sat back and allowed their opponents to force the tempo, and that suited the English side, who quickly settled into their stride, with Kagawa impressing. Nani had the game's first real chance in the 16th minute when he curled over after a clever Giggs ball, while Spahic nodded wide at the other end. Stefan Kiessling – the Bundesliga's top scorer last term with 25 – strolled past Rio Ferdinand for the hosts and prepared to shoot, with only a last-ditch block from Evans saving the day. And from the resulting counter-attack, United scored, as a move that involved Kagawa, Giggs and Rooney ended with the latter's ball being turned home by Valencia. Buoyed by their opener, United pressed again and they had another goal on the half-hour mark when Spahic gave Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno no chance with a flicked header after he had been put under pressure by Smalling. Leverkusen continued to lose the midfield battle and although Reinartz went close in the 60th minute, heading a corner onto the post, Spahic saw his follow-up well saved by United goalkeeper David de Gea. Evans more or less sealed the victory five minutes later, pouncing quickly after Rooney's close-range effort had been parried by Leno following a corner. There was still time for a fourth, as Rooney chipped the onrushing Leno and saw Smalling convert, while only a smart save from the Leverkusen keeper stopped Jones getting on the scoresheet himself. However Nani's chip saw United finish with five goals as they sealed their knockout spot in fine style. STATS ZONE Bayer Leverkusen 0-5 Man United analysis

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Irwin backs Man United title tilt this season

Posted: 27 Nov 2013 06:54 AM PST

Despite trailing leaders Arsenal by seven points, United are the only side in the top six to be unbeaten in the past five league games, having recovered from an early-season blip that included a 2-1 home defeat against West Brom. The managerial transition from Alex Ferguson to Moyes had initial teething problems, but Irwin is full of praise for the strength of character shown by the former Everton boss. And Irwin – who won seven Premier League titles as well as the UEFA Champions League during his 12 years at Old Trafford – is backing his former club to challenge for top spot and finish strongly in typical United style. "The first five or six games were tough for him (Moyes)," said Irwin. "The draw wasn't the kindest, playing Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. Three top teams in the first five games wasn't easy. But it has taken time. "Our league form has picked up in the last six or seven games. We're a team in top form at the moment. "We're certainly in the mix, we're a point behind Manchester City, three points, I think, behind Chelsea and Liverpool and seven behind Arsenal, with a lot of tough games to go and still over two thirds of the season to go. "So we're very much in the mix. It's been good, the last two or three months. "If you hang in there, traditionally United get better in the second half of the season. "I don't think you're going to need 90-plus points, which has been needed over the past few seasons to win the league. "I think it's going to be lower than that this year with teams beating each other and the likes of Southampton coming on the scene, who have done very well. "Everton have always been a threat and will take points off teams. So it's going to be a really interesting Premier League this year."

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