RVP has to settle for bench role

Manchester United’s £24m signing from Arsenal Robin van Persie was named on the bench for the team’s opening Barclays Premier League fixture at Everton.

Fellow summer arrival Shinji Kagawa made the starting line-up as did Nemanja Vidic, playing his first match since December, with midfielder Michael Carrick partnering him in central defence after injury to Rio Ferdinand.

Steven Pienaar started in midfield for Everton having re-joined from Tottenham while new signing Steven Naismith was among the substitutes.