Ryan revels on centre stage

Another game, another study in enduring excellence from Ryan Giggs.

Having teed up Wayne Rooney's first-leg strike, the Reds' record appearance-maker laid on both goals to help United navigate Chelsea and plot a path into the Champions League semi-finals.

In another ageless display against top level opponents, Giggs shone despite being repurposed as a central midfielder alongside the similarly imperious Michael Carrick.

"I enjoy it," he told Sky Sports. "I've got Carras (Carrick) next to me, who was fantastic in the two games and it makes it easier when you've got the likes of Ji and Nani and Antonio around you, so I enjoyed it in there.

"I think it's easier in there than on the wing. On the wing you need to get up and down, in midfield you can just pick your moments, really. I enjoy it in there."

Giggs conceded that United had enjoyed "a little bit of luck" in surviving a strong first-leg penalty claim and a marginal offside in Chicharito's opening goal, then paid tribute to Chelsea's part in a hard-fought tie.

"It was a tough game tonight," he said. "Chelsea gave us a great game and we're always pleased to get through to the semis. Obviously they needed to score, we just knew that we needed to try and score as well to try and take a bit of the pressure off us.

"I think we played well down there. We had a good gameplan and stuck to it, and tonight, even though Chelsea put us under pressure we scored a couple of great goals."