United cruise to 4-0 win over Olympiakos

Alex Ferguson believes Juan Sebastian Veron's strike in the 4-0 win over Olympiakos in the Champions League on Tuesday was "one of the best you will see in Europe tonight".

The Argentine lifted the ball over goalkeeper Dimitrios Eleftheropoulous with a single touch to score United's second before the Greeks collapsed after Ze Elias was sent off in first half stoppage time when they were already 2-0 behind.

Ryan Giggs scored United's first, the Welshman's second half cross was deflected in by Georgios Anatolakis for the third and a late Ole Gunnar Solskjaer strike completed the rout in the group F match at Old Trafford.

"That was world class. He's not a renowned finisher anyway and when he comes up with that piece of class you can only admire it," Ferguson told reporters.

"It was one of the best goals you will see in Europe tonight. It was a fantastic piece of football.

"He used David Beckham as a wall, ran through and chipped the goalkeeper.

"It was pure audacity to try and chip it. Some players would have taken it in their stride and other players would have blasted it, while some would have gone round the keeper.

"But he tried the difficult option and it was a tremendous piece of football."

SCHOLES IMPRESSIVE

Ferguson was also full of praise for Paul Scholes, who impressed in a withdrawn striking role that he struggled to adapt to last season.

"I think he mentally didn't come to terms with it last season. He has now," Ferguson said.

"He is far more comfortable in how we used him and he does bring a dimension to our game that we need."

United now have a maximum nine points from three games, but Ferguson insists they are not certain to qualify for the next stage of the competition yet.

"We still need a point. Bayer Leverkusen won tonight and you would back them to win their next game against Maccabi Haifa at home," he added.

"That would give them six points so we still need a result in Greece to do it. But I am happy with the game. The first 25 minutes was the best we've played this season."

Olympiakos coach Takis Lemonis admitted his side had little chance of rescuing a result once Ze Elias was dismissed after a late challenge on Veron.

"Starting this game we knew what we were up against and we were hoping for something better, but after we lost a player it was impossible," he said.

"When you look at the whole picture, things were very difficult - especially when a player is sent off and you are two goals behind. It's very difficult.

"Now we have to look forward to the next game with United in Greece and we do need a win.

"What affected us most at this stage was the defeat by Maccabi. With Manchester United we knew what we are up against. We have three more games and have to put it right."

Lemonis will decide later whether to punish Ze Elias.

"You can't always be just when you talk about something like this after the game. We have to think about it and see what this will mean afterwards," he said.