United advances to knockout phase

By foxsports
Published

Manchester United routed Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 on Wednesday to cruise into the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Wayne Rooney did not score but played a role in four of United's goals.

Antonio Valencia put United ahead in the 22ndminute, Emir Spahic's own goal in the 30th doubled United's lead and Jonny Evans got the third in the 65th. Chris Smalling steered home the fourth in the 77th and Nani completed the rout in the 88th.

United won 4-2 at home and scored a total of nine goals against a team that sits second in the Bundesliga, but was outplayed on Wednesday.

The victory gave United 11 points in Group A before its final match against second-place Shakhtar Donetsk, which beat Real Sociedad 4-0 to move onto eight points.