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Antonio Valencia celebrates scoring the opening goal for Manchester United. United won 5-0 away in their biggest away win in the European Cup in 50 yrs

LEVERKUSEN. — David Moyes claimed the best is yet to come from his Manchester United team after seeing them rack up their biggest away winning margin in the European Cup for more than 50 years. United’s 5-0 demolition of the much-fancied Bayer Leverkusen qualified Moyes’ team for the knock-out phase of the Champions League with a game to spare and was their most comprehensive away win in the various guises of the competition since a 6-0 drubbing of Shamrock Rovers in 1957.

Moyes, though, is not satisfied and warned his team’s Barclays Premier League rivals that United will keep on improving throughout the winter.

The United boss said: ‘It is one of my best days as Manchester United manager but the best days are still to come, there will be better days.

“We won well, we played well, with some outstanding performances. To come to Germany and win 5-0, where they have a great record here in Leverkusen, puts the result in perspective.

“This is the best performance for me so far because we have scored five goals. But I want this to be a regular thing, not just now and again.”

Ryan Giggs marked the week of his 40th birthday with an impressive 90 minute performance, setting up United’s fifth goal with a superb ball for Portuguese winger Nani.

It was Wayne Rooney who grabbed the limelight once again, though, as the 28-year-old set up his team’s first four goals — two in each half — before being substituted.

Moyes — who has picked Rooney for every Premier League and Champions League game for which he has been fit this season — added: ‘He doesn’t need a rest just now but I’ll be watching for any signs I think he does.

“If the opportunity comes I’ll make sure I keep him as fresh as I can but everyone knows he’s one of those who’s better playing.”

Asked about Giggs, Moyes hinted the Welshman could yet play on next season.

“Some people have mentioned his age but you can’t mention anything about his footballing ability,’ he said.

“He’s an unbelievable footballer and is even getting better. He’ll tell us when he thinks he’s had enough.” Leverkusen manager Sami Hyypia was categorical when he looked back on the night.

“We were taught a lesson,” said the former Liverpool defender.

Rooney revealed even the Bayer Leverkusen players were staggered at how Giggs managed to defy the years in the Champions League.

Giggs ran 10,916m in the game and only two of his team-mates ran further.

“I’ve run out of things to say about Ryan”, Rooney said.

“Actually, during the game, the Bayer centre half was asking how he is still playing at that age.

“I certainly won’t be playing at that age, that’s for sure. His composure on the ball is great.”

With Giggs still capable of performing at such a high level, he might not even get his birthday weekend off given United visit Tottenham on Sunday needing to get their Barclays Premier League campaign back on track.

Sunday will certainly not be a day of rest for Rooney. Not after his four assists in what turned out to be United’s biggest away win in Europe since 1964, and a victory margin they have exceeded only once on their travels to the continent in their entire history.

“It’s a team game but it’s always great when you can help your team-mates score goals,” Rooney said. ‘It was a perfect away match.

“We played very well, we defended well, there was some great counter-attacking football, we played with power, pace and composure.

“It was really as good an away performance as you can get.”

Rooney also had words of praise for Shinji Kagawa, who revelled in his central position after being given the rare opportunity of operating bin his preferred ‘No 10’ role.

United have now booked their place in the last 16, although they do need a point when they face Shakhtar Donetsk at Old Trafford in a fortnight to ensure they progress as group winners.

Before that is the clash with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Spurs are still smarting from that humiliating 6-0 spanking at Manchester City on Sunday.

Yet United can hardly afford to be charitable after they coughed up a last-minute equaliser and two points at Cardiff a couple of hours later.

“Obviously, it was disappointing to lose a goal towards the end at Cardiff (last Sunday)”, Rooney said. “We didn’t play as well as we can.

“So, whilst we are all delighted to put on a great performance in the Champions League, now we are looking forward to playing Spurs.”

In the wake of United’s 5-0 demolition of Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night, Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill made an impromptu visit to the away-team dressing-room.

Moyes’ men had just enjoyed their second biggest away victory in continental competition — a scoreline greater than Ferguson ever achieved — so the appearance of the Old Trafford hierarchy — both are now directors — would have no doubt been warmly welcomed.

Perhaps Ferguson was keen to offer his congratulations — and happy returns — to Giggs, the soon-to-be 40-year-old having put in a masterclass performance in the heart of United’s midfield. Rooney had also starred, laying on four goals, although his relationship with

Ferguson became strained towards the end of the Scot’s tenure. The Red Devils will now prepare for Sunday’s trip to Spurs where victory could take them back into the top four. — Mailonline.