Beleaguered moyes heaps praise on united for 'commitment'

Manchester United manager David Moyes hailed the transformation by his players as they bounced back from a Champions League defeat with a 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Goals from Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck eased pressure on the beleaguered Moyes as United moved into sixth place in the Premier League.

It was the ideal response in United's first game since a chastening 2-0 defeat at Olympiakos in the first leg of its last-16 Champions League clash two weeks ago.

"Their attitude was changed completely," Moyes said. "The players showed their effort and commitment, not just good play.

"What pleased me the most was the goals. The team played very well in all areas.

"There were some very good performances, Marouane Fellaini did really well, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were excellent.

"I thought the two boys up front, Wayne and Robin van Persie, were really good with Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj out wide."

Moyes insisted it was an easy decision to substitute van Persie because the Dutch striker was one mistake away from a red card.

In a week in which Moyes was forced to field questions over whether van Persie is happy at Old Trafford, the Dutch international stirred the debate over his state of mind when he gave a shake of the head after being substituted.

Having already been cautioned for an ugly tackle from behind on Morgan Amalfitano five minutes into the second half, van Persie risked a second yellow card minutes later for a lunge that grounded Steven Reid.

The former Arsenal star cut a frustrated figure when he was replaced by Welbeck, trudging off the field before returning his manager's offer of his hand with a limp shake.

Moyes picked substitute Welbeck out for praise after he converted Rooney's pass late on to add gloss to the final score.

- Agence France-Presse