United clinch group victory with easy win

Manchester United 2 Bayer Leverkusen 0

However, it wasn’t all good news for United, who were forced to play with 10 men for the final five minutes when, with all substitutes used, record signing Rio Ferdinand limped off with what looked like a thigh strain.

After a host of missed chances, United went in front three minutes before the break when Veron arrowed a 20-yard effort into the corner from Ruud van Nistelrooy’s lay-off.