There were a few puzzled looks in the press room when the team-sheets were handed out shortly before kick-off yesterday afternoon and, presumably, a few more in the stands when Manchester United’s starting XI was read out over the Tannoy.

What, no Michael Carrick? The 35-year-old Ryan Giggs preferred instead in the centre of midfield. Gary Neville, who has been slowed by a succession of injuries, at right back rather than the increasingly impressive Rafael Da Silva, and Park Ji Sung on the left wing?

If time has taught us anything, though, it is that questioning Sir Alex Ferguson’s decisions is a very risky strategy, one that invariably comes back to haunt the critic, and as Chelsea were systematically dismantled at Old Trafford, it seemed faintly embarrassing that anyone could have even considered doubting the United manager’s tactics.

It was a point underlined by Giggs, Park and Neville proving United’s best players. Jonny Evans was equally impressive. The 21-year-old’s assured performance alongside Nemanja Vidic in central defence was one that the injured Rio Ferdinand, who will undergo a scan today after suffering a recurrence of his back spasm problem, would have been proud of, although that might suggest, mistakenly, that Chelsea offered a visible threat going forward.

Indeed, United’s display must be tempered by the troubling limitations of a Chelsea team who appear to be in dire need of one of those makeovers that Gok Wan gives bedraggled women, but even Luiz Felipe Scolari, the West London club’s underpressure manager, might marvel at Giggs. Scolari’s problem was that too many of his players did just that, standing off the indefatigable Welshman and allowing him to pull the strings to wonderful effect in midfield.

“I’m no stranger to playing in there and I’ve got legs in there around me with Ji and Fletch [Darren Fletcher],” Giggs said, although such remarks do him a great disservice. He is still quicker than most players on the pitch, and on those rare occasions that his energy levels do drop, a lifetime of experience and knowhow on the football field generally see him eclipse opponents.

While everyone else stood around, it was Giggs who reacted to Wayne Rooney’s cheeky corner and crossed for Cristiano Ronaldo to score with a header that should never have been ruled out. Most players might have stood around complaining about the decision, but Giggs’s response was to fling in the corner quickly, from which Vidic put United in front on the brink of half-time. Giggs bestrode the midfield, but just as he proved the fulcrum of United’s frequent sorties forward, he was also spotted tracking back, chasing down his opponents.

Park was no less diligent. While Ronaldo was busy sulking – it was only in the final half-hour that the Portuguese began to resemble the player who is likely to be named Fifa World Player of the Year tonight – Park was tireless, another reason why Ferguson tends to play him in the big games. Neville, meanwhile, made light work of Deco and Joe Cole. United could do worse than give the club captain a contract extension.

There were some concerns for United – Ronaldo’s continuing impetuosity and, his goal aside, another anonymous display from Dimitar Berbatov – but try telling Ferguson that this was not a perfect weekend for his club.