Passion deserts Everton as United chalk up 2-0 win

Manchester United produced a totally convincing first day of the season victory against an Everton side who failed to produce any of the fire and drive that was the hallmark of their displays last season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a fine close range effort in the first half, and Wayne Rooney sunk his old pals when he scored a gift after a terrible mistake from Joseph Yobo just seconds after the break.

From then on United were on cruise control and apart from a couple of close range headers from Tim Cahill and a fierce drive from Phil Neville – playing against his old mates – Everton never looked like getting back into the game.

Phil Neville was booked a a foul on Park Ji-Sung before Heinze came on for Darren Fletcher on 71 minutes. Kilbane took over from Davies four minutes later.

Alan Smith got on with 10 minutes to go in place of Scholes, and it was the sight of former team mate Neville lashing a 25 yarder just over the angle that greeted him.

Cahill was not impressed by Smith’s first tackle, which left him in a heap on the ground. It took a barge from Poll to stop Cahill remonstrating with Smith.

Kieran Richardson took over from Park Ji-Sung with five minutes left, and by now United were fully in control.

Arteta was booked for kicking the ball away from a free kick in the closing seconds.