UEFA Champions League: Manchester United 4-2 Bayer Leverkusen - five talking points

Robin van Persie scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen at Old Trafford on September 17, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Getty Images)

David Moyes got his first win the Champions League as Manchester United manager as his side eased past Bayer Leverkusen 4-2 thanks to an Antonio Valencia goal and a Wayne Rooney brace sandwiched in between a Robin Van Persie strike.

Here are the five major talking points:

Even on an off day, van Persie is better than most

Right from the start of the game, it didn’t look like van Persie would have his greatest game in a United shirt, but such is the quality of the Dutchman that even on an off day, he still managed to score a sublime strike, start the counter-attack from deep into his own half (which lead to Valencia’s first and United’s fourth) and also miss a sitter from two yards out towards the end.

It was his strike, however, which will dominate all the headlines that was a thing of beauty. It was something that not many apart from him would even contemplate, especially on his weaker right foot. The cross from Valencia was slightly behind him, but he managed to contort his body and put his laces through the ball, as it ended up in the back of the net.

Antonio Valencia celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal. (Getty Images)

Valencia shows glimpses of old self

There were periods in the game, especially during the first half, when it looked like Valencia might have brought his bad form from last year back with him. But he managed to endure it all and brought back his Player’s Player of the Year winning form, as he slowly regained his confidence and grew into the match.

As the game went on, he started beating his man and picking his teammates, instead of the opposition. Whilst his cross for van Persie’s goal was slightly behind him, he served up another opportunity, which the Dutchman passed up towards the end of the game. His goal was a result of swift counter-attack and might well give him so much need belief, something his game has been lacking for quite some time now.

Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring his team’s third goal. (Getty Images)

Record breaking game for Rooney

Right from kick off, Rooney looked razor sharp and had one of those nights, where he could apparently do no wrong. It all started with the first goal in the 22^nd minute. After some nifty footwork from van Persie on the left wing, Patrice Evra had the ball and delivered an inch perfect cross towards Rooney, which he took, with great aplomb.

Whilst Evra and van Persie were marginally offside in the build-up, it looked like Valencia was definitely offside and impeding the goalkeeper, but the goal stood and made Rooney the top scoring British player in European Cups for United, ahead of Ryan Giggs.

His second, however, was a gift, as a simple long ball from David de Gea wasn’t dealt with properly by the centre-backs and the ball came to him as he slotted his 200^th goal for Manchester United, becoming only the fourth player after Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and Jack Rowley. In between both goals, he also managed to miss a sitter, after which Leverkusen equalised to make it 1-1, but he scored United’s third, assisted the fourth and managed to have the last laugh.

Marouane Fellaini (L) competes with Lars Bender (R). (Getty Images)

Carrick and Fellaini look a solid partnership, but Ferdinand falters

Starting his first Champions League game, Marouane Fellaini certainly gave a good account of himself playing alongside Michael Carrick. He added some steel to the centre of midfield, something United have sorely lacked since the departure of Roy Keane.

Apart from his tackling and his heading ability, his physical presence in midfield helped United take control of possession and also had a few good through balls, showing that he is not all brawn.

Whilst the two central midfielders quickly forged together a partnership, at the back Rio Ferdinand had a game to forget. In the first half, he was beaten for pace on a couple of occasions and also misplaced a few headers.

In the second half, his miscommunication with de Gea led to a corner from which Leverkusen scored their second goal. Whether it is age or just fatigue of playing games back-to-back, Ferdinand must rediscover his old self, if United are to win anything this year.

Shinji Kagawa (L) competes with Stefan Kiessling (C) as Michael Carrick looks on (R). (Getty Images)

Leverkusen show promise, but it was too little too late

Leverkusen tactic in this game was to apparently let United have all of the back and count on their defence to keep them in it, for long enough to let their attackers have a dig at United. But unfortunately for them, their plan backfired and they kept inviting pressure by sitting back and sometimes holding a very high line as they went in search of the goals, that would have brought them back into the match.

Their attacking play was impressive, as they managed to quickly shift the ball from defence to offense. But the problem was that they left it too late, as they only got into the game after they were well and truly out of it. As both their goals demonstrated, they certainly have a sharp attack and if they use it more often, they could make this a tricky group.