By Chris O'Brien
August 21 2006

The Red Devils went straight to the top of the Premiership with a 5-1 drubbing of Fulham at Old Trafford. A club record 75,115 were in attendance as a brace from Wayne Rooney, strikes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha and an own-goal from Ian Pearce made sure it was an easy victory for United.

"We are top of the league!"

Manchester United got their Premiership campaign off to the perfect start with a 5-1 drubbing of Chris Coleman's Fulham.

Critics who suggested that the Red Devils may struggle to score goals without Ruud Van Nistelrooy were soon silenced as United flew straight out of the blocks and scored an amazing four goals in the opening nineteen minutes. United produced a slick, speedy, attacking display which will strike fear into our Premiership opponents and will offer real hope to supporters that the club can challenge big-spending Chelsea for honours this term.

The game's opener came after only eight minutes. Wayne Rooney found Ryan Giggs down the left flank with an excellent long-range pass. The Welshman showing precision as he delivered an inch-perfect cross to the head of Louis Saha and from there; the outcome was obvious. The majority of a 75,115 crowd - a Premiership record - were in ecstasy.

Six minutes later, the lead was doubled and the result already looked beyond doubt. Saha turned provider as he fired in a low cross in search of Rooney, but the ball clipped the outstretched leg of Fulham defender Ian Pearce and rolled passed a helpless Anti Niemi.

United's relentless start to the game continued and they had soon found a third. Gary Neville sent a searching cross into the penalty-area and Saha, superb throughout, went close with an acrobatic effort that was blocked by Niemi. However, the ball bounced out to the feet of Rooney and the England international made no mistake from only yards out.

As fans packed on the terraces of a new-look Old Trafford watched on in disbelief and awe, United netted a deserved fourth on nineteen minutes. Rooney turned provider and the goalscorer was fitting. Cristiano Ronaldo, who saw his every touch jeered by the travelling supporters, got on the end of his team-mates cross, smashing a half-volley into the back of the net. His celebrations with Rooney will surely end press stories regarding their much-publicised feud and it was all smiles for the men in their smart new retro red jerseys.

Paul Scholes, back to his best after his eye troubles, almost made it five as his long-range effort smashed against the woodwork and was desperately cleared by a shaken Fulham backline. However, despite United's bombardment of the Cottagers' goal, it was the visitors who struck next, giving their travelling support something to cheer before the interval. Heider Helguson's optimistic long-range effort took a wicked deflection off the head of Rio Ferdinand and looped over Edwin Van Der Sar, who would have loved a clean sheet against his former club. The Fulham fans chanted "Easy, Easy!" - you have to admire their sense of humour, at least!

Gary Neville made way for Mikael Silvestre at the interval, with the Frenchman playing at centre-half and Wesley Brown moving to right-back.

Predictably, with the game in the bag, United took their foot off the pedal after the interval. The introduction of Ji-Sung Park and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, to the delight of the home support, provided Fergie's men with fresh attacking options - but it was Wayne Rooney who capped a fine performance with his second goal of the game and the Reds' fifth. He slotted home a Brown pass to complete a convincing win.

Ronaldo should have made it a complete rout as he sent a one-on-one effort wide of the post after being sent through by Rooney, but it didn't seem to matter. United secured an amazing opening day victory thanks to some superb attacking wing play, excellent finishing and a tight back four. A similar performance against Charlton on Wednesday would be perfect!

So no disappointments - except the usual extent of the 'leave early' brigade and the ridiculous queues at the new BetFred tents, only to be told the computer system had crashed and bets couldn't be placed! Guess which lucky editor was about to slap a couple of quid on Saha to score first too? No matter. An excellent start to the season and a potential springboard for even better things to come!

Full Time - Manchester United 5-1 Fulham
Attendance - 75,115

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville (c) (Silvestre, 46), Ferdinand, Brown, Evra, Ronaldo, O’Shea, Scholes, Giggs (Park, 61), Rooney, Saha (Solskjaer, 61).
Substitutes not used: Kuszczak, Fletcher.

Fulham: Niemi, Pearce, Christanval, Queudrue, Rosenior, Diop, Brown (Radzinksi, 61), Bullard, Boa Morte (c), Helguson, John.
Substitutes not used: Crossley (GK), Volz, Bocanegra, McBride.