Giggs inspires Man United rout of Olympiakos

Manchester United have moved to the brink of qualifying for the second phase of the Champions League with a 4-0 thrashing of Olympiakos Piraeus in first round group F.

Winger Ryan Giggs and Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, with a delightful chip, scored first half goals for the English side at Old Trafford before the Greeks had Ze Elias sent off for a bad challenge on Veron just before halftime.

A deflected Giggs cross made it 3-0 midway through the second half and Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wrapped up the victory with the fourth 13 minutes from the end.

"It can be difficult against 10 men but the most important thing is to keep your discipline," United manager Alex Ferguson told ITV Sport.

"It (Veron's goal) was a fantastic goal. He used David Beckham as a wall, ran through and chipped the goalkeeper. It was a marvellous bit of football."

"We go to Olympiakos on October 23 and if we get a result there I think we're through."

United, who beat Olympiakos 3-0 at Old Trafford at the same stage of the tournament last season, now have nine points out of nine and are almost certain of finishing in the top two of a group that also includes Maccabi Haifa and Bayer Leverkusen.