Ryan Giggs felt United benefited from a second half
downpour as the Reds crushed Portsmouth 4-1 at Fratton
Park.
After enduring a tricky first 45 minutes against Avram Grant's
side, United hammered in three second half strikes in a
much-improved display, and Giggs felt that the Reds’ slick passing
game mirrored the saturated south coast turf.
Speaking to MUTV, Giggs said: “The rain helped.
It made the pitch a lot quicker and we were much slicker with our
passing. Just after half time we created chances, and soon after
that Wayne managed to score. It was the perfect start.
“After that the goals came at good times, two quick goals and
then we were able to be more confident on the ball.”
United’s control of the second half came after a tricky first
period in which the hosts put the Reds’ defence under considerable
pressure, forcing Tomasz Kuszczak to be called into action on
various occasions.
“It got a lot easier in the second half,” said Giggs. “In the
first half they made it difficult for us. As well as the two
penalties the game was stopping and starting a lot. In the second
half we started very well, created chances and managed to get the
goals.”
The veteran winger was especially pleased with the result
because, as is the case most weeks, United’s opposition raised
their game to make things as hard as possible for the Reds.
"We were warned by the manager before the game that every home
came they’ve played they could have won," he said. "They’ve got
quality going forward and experience throughout the team so we knew
it was going to be a tough game. When we come here, like anywhere,
it’s their cup final so they up their performance.”
Finally, Ryan reserved special praise for Wayne Rooney, who
netted his third United hat-trick.
"He was brilliant, he was up there on his own. He tied down the two
centre-halves and was brilliant all game. He took his goals well
and he could have had more but his overall performance was
good."