Thaindian News

London, Apr. 13 (ANI): Coach Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to veteran mid-fielder Ryan Giggs for helping Manchester United shatter Chelsea’s Champions League dream on Tuesday night.

Giggs, 37, helped Manchester United score a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford.

The veteran first provided Javier Hernandez with the cross which made it 1-0 just before half-time and then produced an exquisite pass to Park Ji-Sung, who scored to snuff out Chelsea’s hopes of a fightback after Didier Drogba equalised.

“Well we’ve said it so many times about the man. He’s just incredible, a unique person and player,” The Sun and the Daily Telegraph quoted Ferguson, as saying.

“And his contribution was big. The goal in the first game, the first goal tonight and his part in the second goal. It’s a great contribution and his experience and composure were vital,’ he added.

Ferguson said Giggs owed his extraordinary longevity to his physique and sense of balance.

“He looks after himself, he has to. To get to 37 years of age there must be a tremendous sacrifice to do that,” Ferguson said.

Giggs said the key to the game had been United’s goal-scoring response.

“I think we deserved it. We played well. had a good gameplan and stuck to it and tonight got a couple of great goals,’ Giggs said.

Ferguson also reflected on another scintillating display from Wayne Rooney. He was at the heart of United’s best work, dropping deep to cause problems for Chelsea’s defence with his movement and passing.

“I think for quite a while he’s been playing very well,’ Ferguson said of Rooney.

The win puts Manchester United into a semi-final against either Schalke 04 or holders Inter Milan, who play each other tomorrow. (ANI)