Bayer Leverkusen 0 Man United 5: Thrashing delights David Moyes

David Moyes hailed the best performance of his reign after Manchester United booked their place in the Champions League last 16 with a crushing victory at Bayer Leverkusen.

Antonio Valencia put the visitors ahead in the 22nd minute when he tapped home from close range, before Emir Spahic scored an own goal from a Wayne Rooney free-kick.

Jonny Evans made it 3-0 in the 65th minute with a simple finish, Chris Smalling added a fourth, and Nani rounded the goalkeeper to complete the rout and secure United’s progression.

Asked if he thinks it was United’s best display since taking the reigns from Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, Moyes said: “I would probably have to say so. To score five goals, we haven’t done that, and to do that away from home is special.

“There were so many good performances. To come to Germany and get a such a good result, Leverkusen are second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich, it gives an idea of where our performance and result stood.

“[The performance] was what I was hoping to get more often, there have been signs we are getting better but also signs we have been wasteful as well.”

Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs, who put in a superb performance, was delighted by the Red Devils’ free-flowing forward play.

“We really killed them on the counter attack, the first goal was an example of that and it was pleasure to play behind the front four,” said Giggs.

“Saying that we could have scored more goals but we don’t want to be too greedy and to score five goals anywhere in Europe is brilliant.”