Giggs' Glee At Slick Reds

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."

Ryan Giggs scoring his century of Premier League goals