United see off Birmingham, Boro win thriller

LONDON, Mar 26 (Reuters) Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney steered Manchester United back to second place today in the Premier League in a 3-0 win over struggling Birmingham City.

An early Giggs free kick flew in off City keeper Maik Taylor and the Welshman drilled home a second with only 15 minutes on the clock at Old Trafford. Rooney surged through the City defence to beat Taylor in a one-on-one in the 83rd minute.

Victory moved Alex Ferguson's men closer to an automatic Champions League place and a City side managed by former United favourite Steve Bruce closer to relegation.

Earlier, Stuart Parnaby scored a stoppage-time winner to give Middlesbrough a thrilling 4-3 win over Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic beat Newcastle United 3-1.

REUTERS OM RN2242