A cut above the rest: Sublime Rooney free-kick secures the 3 points as United brush aside 10-man Palace.
David Moyes' second game in charge of Manchester United at Old Trafford came after a two week international break and a frantic deadline day that saw the club secure the services of Belgian International Marouane Fellaini- one of Moyes' key men from his days as Everton manager.
Old Trafford welcomed the arrival of not only Ian Holloway's promoted Crystal Palace side but also hordes of United fans armed with curly wigs eagerly awaiting the debut of the new 'United Afro'. However, the fans had to wait as Moyes opted to start with Anderson and Carrick in the centre, the latter almost putting the reds one nil up inside three minutes with an excellent dipping drive that forced a good save from Julian Speroni.
Wayne Rooney earned a surprise start after acquiring a nasty head injury at the start of the month. He seemed to show no sign of it, however, with his head and feet looking in perfect condition as the England international displayed some superb passing early on.
Ashley Young continued to frustrate fans with a mixed performance in the first half, providing fantastic link up play down the left with Patrice Evra one moment and then a poor cross the next. The winger's day seemed to go from bad to worse as he was then booked for diving by referee Jon Moss.
Just when it was looking unlikely the United midfield could provide adequate service for the breakthrough before half time, Carrick turned skilfully away from two Palace players in the middle of the park with great footwork before Anderson won the ball with a crunching tackle that gifted the ball to Rooney. Rooney then lofted a beautifully weighted pass to Van Persie which was taken expertly by the Dutchman who found himself alone between two Palace defenders in the box. He chested it down and was unlucky to see his sweetly hit volley crash against Speroni's cross bar. Palace were lucky to be let off as United began to play more like champions.
A Young cross just missed Rooney's bandaged head before Crystal Palace finally got into the United box. Dwight Gayle getting the better of Ferdinand who let the forward get away a dinked effort which just missed the goal and sidled past the far post.
Just before half time, Ashley Young went down in the box for a second time under a foul by Kagisho Dikgacoi and this time Jon Moss adjudged it to be a penalty although it looked to be outside the box. Dikgacoi was then sent off much to Palace's dismay and undoubtedly Ian Holloway who will have thought the decision harsh but could not vent his frustration properly as he serves a two-game touchline ban.
Robin Van Persie stepped up to take the spot kick and sent Speroni the wrong way to claim his third of the season and delight the Old Trafford crowd as the game went into half time. United started the second half lively with an Ashley Young long range curling shot going inches past the post. United continued to up the tempo but when an Anderson through ball to Young was hit straight at the keeper, Moyes decided to make his first change. Anderson left the field for Fellaini who was received by the Old Trafford crowd with a standing ovation and rapturous applause. Ashley Young made way shortly after for another Belgian, 18 year old Adnan Januzaj, last year's Reserve Team Player of the Year. The changes seemed to bring the team to life and it wasn't long before Fellaini got his first chance at goal as the United faithful spurred him on with chants of 'attack, attack, attack!'
A tricky low cross from Januzaj on the left forced a save that fell to Fellaini who chested and volleyed it with great technique and was unlucky to see it saved well by Speroni. Fellaini provided some much needed steel in United's midfield, winning headers and tackles whilst also dispatching the ball well out wide helping get Antonio Valencia more involved.
Van Persie was subbed off for Chicharito just before Januzaj 's fast footwork won United a free-kick 25 yards out. Wayne Rooney stepped up and scored a wonderful curling free-kick leaving Palace's star man Speroni with no chance. Rooney almost went close again moments later after good link up play with Fellaini and Januzaj but perhaps should not have opted to shoot himself as his chip went wide. Chicharito went close in extra time but his lack of match fitness showed after another disrupted pre-season.
The match finished 2-0 to United who have plenty of positives to take from David Moyes' first Old Trafford win of his career. Lively cameos from Fellaini and Januzaj lit up the game for the reds and the two Belgians have a bright future at the club. However, it is once again Wayne Rooney who will grab the headlines with another fine performance and goal to prove why he really is a cut above the rest.
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