Manchester United Fans Club

It’s hard to conceive now but, for a very brief time in epic his Old Trafford career, Ryan Giggs had to win over a small section of United fans. Typically, he did so in style. Unfortunately for Juventus, they were the recipients.After suffering a negative reaction from some supporters during the League Cup semi-final against Blackburn Rovers weeks earlier, Giggs clearly had a point to prove when he replaced the injured Diego Forlan in Turin.

With three wins from three group games, United’s qualification was virtually assured already. There was no way Giggsy was going to pass up such an opportunity to showcase his talents, however, and he quickly set about overturning the Old Lady in her own back yard.

The winger had only been on the field for seven minutes when Gianluca Zambrotta slipped on the ball in his own area, allowing Juan Veron to feed Giggs just outside the six-yard box. The Welshman controlled the ball and, despite a cluster of players around him, calmly side-footed a shot past Gianluigi Buffon and into the corner of the net.

United’s defence, marshalled brilliantly by makeshift centre-back Roy Keane, withstood plenty of Juve pressure, before Giggs struck again four minutes before half-time. Having intercepted a crossfield pass to Lilian Thuram on the halfway line, Giggs raced goalwards, outpaced three defenders and slipped a right-footed shot inside Buffon’s far post.

The celebration spoke volumes. For the only time, Giggs pointed to the name on his shirt as if to remind fans of who he was, and the respect he deserved, before being mobbed by joyous team-mates.

After the interval Juve offered little threat, and it was United who continued to call the tune. Igor Tudor’s ridiculous attempt to cushion a cross back to Buffon struck his own upright, and Ruud van Nistelrooy - who had replaced substitute Giggs after 48 minutes - tapped in the rebound.

With the victory assured, even Gary Neville was moved to try an exquisite 20-yard chip, only for his graceful effort to clip the top of the crossbar and bounce out for a goal kick.

United saw out the remainder of the game in total comfort, while the Bianconeri licked their wounds and waited for the final whistle. When it came, United were through to the knockout stages with two games to spare, and Giggs had made his point emphatically.

Champions League Group Stage
25 February, 2003, Stadio Delle Alpi

JUVENTUS 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 3
Giggs (15, 41), van Nistelrooy (63)