Giggs delighted with United romp

Ryan Giggs paid tribute to Manchester United’s impressing passing game after the Premiership champions swept past Panathinaikos 5-0 at Old Trafford in the Champions League.

A devastating first half put United in total control over the Greeks, with Mikael Silvestre opening the scoring after 13 minutes, two minutes before Quinton Fortune doubled the hosts’ lead.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side three goals up just after the half hour while Nicky Butt added another before the break.

Giggs was delighted with that 45 minutes, and content with the second half, when Eric Djemba-Djemba added the fifth and final goal.

He told ITV1: “I think at half-time we could obviously take our foot off the pedal.

“We had to work hard in the opening minutes but I think our passing and movement all over the pitch just killed them.

“It’s always nice to get a home game first and you want to win it because whoever you get next is going to be difficult because it’s away.”

Giggs was not too concerned about United’s mounting injury problems, which worsened when a foot injury forced Solskjaer to be substituted.

He added: “It’s similar to last season. We are picking up injuries but that’s what the squad is for. I’m sure whatever team we put out will be capable of winning.”