Giggs' scores 150th goal in Man United win

Ryan Giggs scored his 150th Manchester United goal and set up Michael Carrick's winner as the English champions beat Wolfsburg 2-1 on Wednesday to go top of Champions League Group B.

Ryan Giggs scored his 150th Manchester United goal and set up Michael Carrick's winner as the English champions beat Wolfsburg 2-1 on Wednesday to go top of Champions League Group B.

HT Image

Edin Dzeko headed the German champions in front in the 56th minute, but the 35-year-old Giggs hit back inside three minutes with a free kick that took a huge deflection.

Giggs, who made his United debut in 1991, teed up Carrick's strike in the 78th on a rain-soaked night at Old Trafford. "The amazing thing about Ryan is the incredible youthfulness about his performances," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "It's as if he is just starting his career. He is continuing like a young man enjoying his football and it's wonderful to see." Despite being English football's most decorated player, Giggs keeps shrugging off each new milestone he reaches. "It was a poor free kick to be fair but we got that little bit of luck," the Welsh midfielder said. "(The goal) doesn't represent anything. Obviously I'm proud to do it but it was more important that we got back in the game so soon after they scored. We showed great character to come back."

Having won their opening two matches, the Red Devils enjoy a three-point lead over Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow, which beat Besiktas 2-1 in Wednesday's other group match.

"It was a very good performance," said Ferguson, before adding of his team. "What they are good at is they never give in. No matter what the score is, they keep playing and they get their reward. Our performance level was very good."

Ferguson had sprung a couple of surprises by opting for Tomasz Kuszczak in goal over Ben Foster and starting striker Michael Owen instead of Dimitar Berbatov.

So, while visiting England coach Fabio Capello was denied a chance to check on the progress of the error-prone Foster, this was Owen's opportunity to argue his case for a return from international exile.

However, the 29-year-old Owen had just two touches in 20 minutes before a lingering groin strain flared up again that will rule the injury-prone striker out for up to three weeks.

Berbatov came on alongside Wayne Rooney as usual and his arrival was immediately telling, injecting flair after what had been a tepid start by the three-time European champions, who are chasing a third successive final.

The Bulgaria forward had only been on the pitch five minutes when he sent a neat backheeled flick through to Antonio Valencia. The Ecuador winger, who has not scored since joining United in the offseason, struck wide when he had only goalkeeper Diego Benaglio to beat.

Berbatov turned provider again, squeezing the ball through a crowded defense to Carrick, but Benaglio came off his line to close down the England midfielder and block the shot with his right leg. Unlike the rain, the initial threat had subsided from the Champions League debutants Wolfsburg. At halftime, Ferguson appealed for "a bit of patience in the final third."

Ten minutes into the second period, Anderson was released clear on goal but was denied by Benaglio's quick reaction save. And within a minute, the Germans took the lead despite having provided little threat since their early probing.

Makoto Hasebe beat United center back Rio Ferdinand to whip in a cross to the far post, where Edin Dzeko rose above Patrice Evra to nod into the net off the inside of the post.

"Edin scored a good goal, but it wasn't just the goal," coach Armin Veh said through a translator. "He created problems for defenders with his excellent technique and pace." But facing a first European loss at Old Trafford since February 2008, the Red Devils were behind for less than four minutes. After Wolfsburg captain Josue conceded a free kick by fouling Anderson, Giggs' strike was diverted by Christian Gentner in the opposite direction to score.

Giggs found the net again only to be adjudged offside, but Carrick put United in front soon after. Rooney, who had a quiet game five years and a day after his United debut, played the ball back to Giggs, who slipped it for Carrick to curl into the net. "I'm really annoyed," Veh said. "It's no good praising the performance if we didn't get the result. I think we could have done better."