Michael Owen scored twice and Ryan Giggs slotted home a second-half hat-trick as Manchester United ended their Asian adventure by hammering Hangzhou Greentown 8-2.
It was maybe not the strenuous test Sir Alex Ferguson would have wanted but, in maintaining a 100% record in four games so far, at least United are heading towards their quest to land an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title in confident mood.
Rio Ferdinand, such a pivotal figure in United's defence, came through unscathed, which is good news given the injury problems that affected him at the back end of last season.
To lesser or greater degrees, Wes Brown, Darron Gibson, Zoran Tosic and Nani impressed, which provides Ferguson with hope that, from within last year's title-winning squad further improvement can come.
But it is the striking department where Ferguson can have the most to feel pleased about.
Dimitar Berbatov got off the mark in South Korea and gave his confidence another boost with a smartly-taken effort here.
The biggest plus, though, is Owen. After scoring in both games in Malaysia, Owen doubled his tally with a well-taken first-half brace against a distinctly ordinary Hangzhou outfit.
Tosic also managed to find the target as did Nani, while Giggs scored twice in seven minutes before completing his treble minutes from the end.
Greentown did manage a couple of consolation through Wang Hong You, although that merely added to a carnival atmosphere in which the supporters in a stadium limited to 30,000 but did not even reach that number, chanted for Wayne Rooney to score and Patrice Evra was mocked by his own team-mates after hitting the post from two yards.
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lovin the new pic ronnie
michael o # 2
Who cares who you meet when you play like United did? Myself ( sorry, that's not a word I'm familiar with ) , LSPMG ( Little Stevie's 'Patsy' Mates Gang ) can only hope to as good as United.
In case you missed their fantasic display here's a review.
1) Owen’s goal offside? Twice?
2) Bebatov’s goal. Would he have scored this playing against real defenders?
3) Tosic’s goal. Brilliant. If he can do that then he can do anything.
4) Owen’s goal from Berbatov flick. Brilliant. If I’d left a team like this, I’d want to come back.
5) Nani’s twister goal from Berbatov’s backheel. Excellent. Continue that and we will win everything this season.
6) Giggs goal. Whoosh. If you’ve been born with class you don’t lose it even as an old man.
7) Giggs chips the keeper. I watched this one about seven times. If you want to know how to chip a keeper, then this is how to do it properly.
8) Hangzhou goal, good header if I can’t make it out who was sleeping, Gibson, O’Shea or Rooney.
9) Giggs hat-trick. Dummied keeper who could have done more to stop him.
10) Hangzhou goal .Fabio gives the ball away ( make sure you don’t do that again this season, Alex wouldn’t like you to make a habit of that ), meanwhile Foster’s ambly walking around goal. Their player strikes from edge of penalty area and Foster doesn’t even move. Atrocious. Foster maybe you’re not as good as I thought you were. He has leaked goals like a sieve on this tour. United need a good keeper very, very soon.
Overall five excellent goals but United’s defence need a kick up the back side.
did you see the assists by BERBATOV THEY WERE AMAYZING ALL OF THEM MARK ,MY WORDS HE WILL ROCK IN UTD NEX 4-5 YEARS
The Crow is waiting on the table for all of the doubters of Mickey O. No, he may not meet teams in the prem or champ league like in China, but, neither will Giggs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Start getting behind the lad with some good honest support and you won't have to eat the Crow that's on the table. SAPPERCOMMANDO where are you now with your negative comments on Mickey O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SAPPERCOMMANDO, come out of hiding and stand in line for the Crow on the table. Bon apettite SAPPERCOMMANDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man of the match; Dimi...
Tevez £25million and a s**t attitude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Owen £0000000 and a brilliant attitude...................
Nani Will become a super star
Rooney Play him in his best position and he will give us 25+ goals......
Utd will be even stronger and have more success than last season and that was pretty good.....
I am an Arsenal fan but Owen is a lethal striker. He will prove that this year. Arsenal should have picked him up but Ferguson has a better flair than anybody else in the football world.
i think nani is beginning to show ahat he is made of,he has the ability to fill the big space left by ronnie.Tosic was quite impressive on the left wing too.
michael,
I can tell geography was your best subject at school you numpty
Michael Owen wont meet teams like Hangzhou in the Premier League or the Champions league this season!
Could micheal owen be the bargain of all time?, will Sir Alex yet again prove everyone wrong
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