R Giggs gets United reign off to winning start

FE Team | Published: April 28, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

MANCHESTER: Manchester United\'s Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (2nd L) celebrates after scoring his team\'s fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Norwich City at Old Trafford here Saturday. — AFP Photo

LONDON, Apr 27 (AFP): Ryan Giggs saw his first match as interim Manchester United manager end in a 4-0 thrashing of Premier League strugglers Norwich City at Old Trafford Saturday.
Wayne Rooney and substitute Juan Mata scored two goals apiece as the soon-to-be-dethroned English champions left the Canaries just a point above the relegation zone with two games remaining.
Giggs, who decided against naming himself in the starting side or on the bench, saw Rooney give United the lead with a 41st-minute penalty after Danny Welbeck went down in the box.
England striker Rooney made it 2-0 seven minutes after the break with a curling shot from outside the box as Norwich's defence backed off.
Mata put the result beyond doubt in the 63rd minute when he turned in Phil Jones's cross before adding a second goal 10 minutes later as Norwich retreated again.