Moyes lauds Manchester United improvement

David Moyes was impressed by Manchester United’s improvement in the space of a week after they thrashed the A-League All Stars on Saturday.

United got the first win of their Asian Tour in brilliant fashion, with young guns Jesse Lingard and Danny Welbeck scoring twice each in the 5-1 rout.

It was Moyes’ first win in charge since taking over from Alex Ferguson and came just seven days after their shock 1-0 to a Thailand All Stars side in Bangkok.

The new manager asked his side to lift their game before the match and they responded emphatically, much to the delight of the Scotsman.

“It was a very special night to get my first victory as Manchester United manager,” Moyes said.

“It was a good performance and we could have maybe got three more goals, we hit the post as well and one or two other incidents.

“We stepped up – I thought we looked a bit fitter tonight, a bit more ready and possibly the temperature tonight suited us a bit more than it had in Thailand.”

While Lingard and Welbeck stole the show for the English champions, Moyes was delighted to get some game time into star striker Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman played the last 30 minutes and set up Welbeck’s second from his corner before adding the final goal late on.

“I was a bit rusty. I had a bit of a slow start, lost a couple of balls so I wasn’t really happy with that but it was okay,” van Persie said.

“I had a good corner and a goal but like I said it doesn’t really matter now, we need to get fit and get proper practice and team play as well and get ready for the competition.

“Of course you like to win for the fans and for that winning feeling but it’s more about fitness and getting ready for the season.”

Moyes revealed that there were still no further developments on the future of Wayne Rooney and the possible acquisition of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona.

United are hopeful of finalising a deal with Van Persie’s former Arsenal team-mate Fabregas over the weekend as they look to bolster their midfield options.

Van Persie insisted that he had not spoken to Fabregas about a potential move but knows the midfielder is the type of player the Red Devils need in their quest to retain the title.

For the All Stars, coach Ange Postecoglou admitted that the gulf between the two sides was obvious.

“Full credit to Manchester United, they showed why they’re a world class outfit,” Postecoglu said.

“There was a gulf there as much physically as anything else.

“We had our moments but overall you’ve got to say they were fantastic – they’re a fantastic side and they proved why tonight.”