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BIRMINGHAM. — Manchester United manager David Moyes hailed the transformation by his players as they bounced back from a Champions League soccer defeat with a 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion. Goals from Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck eased pressure on the under-fire Moyes as United moved into sixth place in the Barclays English Premier League on Saturday.

It was the ideal response in United’s first game since a chastening 2-0 defeat at Olympiakos in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on February 25.

“Their attitude was changed completely,” Moyes said. “The players showed their effort and commitment, not just good play. I think it showed in the performance as well.

“What pleased me the most was the goals. The team played very well in all areas.
“There were some very good performances, Marouane Fellaini did really well, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were excellent.

“I thought the two boys up front, Wayne and Robin van Persie were really good with Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj out wide.”
Moyes insisted it was an easy decision to substitute Van Persie because the Dutch striker was one mistake away from a red card.

In a week in which Moyes has been forced to field questions over whether Van Persie is happy at Old Trafford, the Dutch international stirred the debate over his state of mind when he gave a shake of the head after being substituted. — AFP.