Fergie hails centurion Giggs

Giggs brings up his century

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Sir Alex Ferguson saluted the evergreen Ryan Giggs after he netted his 100th Premier League goal in Manchester United's 4-1 win over Portsmouth.

Giggs curled home United's fourth with a trademark free-kick in the closing moments to set the seal on victory on the eve of his 36th birthday.

Wayne Rooney had earlier hit a hat-trick for the Red Devils, including two from the penalty spot, as the champions made light of Ferguson's absence from the dugout as the Scot started his two-game touchline ban.

Ferguson said: "He's an exceptional player, a rarity. He will play for two years yet.

"Happy Birthday. He's had it 36 times in his life, wait until he gets to 67. I think he'll be retired by then."

Ferguson was unimpressed by the penalty decision which saw Pompey level before the break, although replays showed Nemanja Vidic was pulling Frederic Piquionne's shirt.

Pressure

"The linesman has put the referee under terrible pressure and he has to listen to the linesman who is 50 yards away," he said.

"You see these things every weekend in the penalty box. If you are saying everyone who wrestles at a corner or tugs at a jersey concedes a penalty kick then that's fine. But it doesn't happen that way and this linesman has changed the whole course of normal decision making.

"So it was a very disappointing result for us to get a penalty against us in that situation. Half-time came at a good time for us and the important thing was to keep our discipline and composure and play our football."

Rooney earned the first penalty, then Giggs set up his second from open play and won the penalty for the England striker's hat-trick after a blunder from Piquionne.

"With strikers you always want them to score, he's got the matchball which is nice," Ferguson said.