Fellaini pops United bubble

Everton 1 Manchester United 0

Robin van Persie’s arrival was supposed to leave Manchester United floating on clouds of renewed optimism but the Dutchman endured a losing start to his United career after Marouane Fellaini’s 57th-minute winner earned Everton a thoroughly deserved win over Alex Ferguson’s lacklustre side.

Van Persie, who joined United from Arsenal for £24 million last Friday, was forced to watch the opening 68 minutes from the substitutes’ bench at Goodison Park before coming on 11 minutes after Fellaini’s goal.