The Red Devils have kicked off the defence of their Premiership crown in style, with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Lancashire Rivals, Bolton Wanderers.

Debutant Cristiano Ronaldo announced his Premiership arrival with a superb performance as a substitute, but it was a Ryan Giggs brace and goals from Paul Scholes and Ruud Van Nistelrooy that secured the United victory.

Tim Howard was the only one of United's new signings to be included amongst the starting line-up, with the US international playing in front of a back-four made up of Phillip Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Mikael Silvestre and Quinton Fortune.

Roy Keane and Nicky Butt partnered in centre midfield, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs given free roles behind Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, the early exchanges of the game left United supporters dreading a third consecutive Bolton Wanderers victory at Old Trafford.

Kevin Nolan had an excellent chance in the opening minutes, but Tim Howard continued his heroics from the Community Shield final with a superb save. The former-Liverpool trainee fired in a powerful shot from an acute angle, but the US international was quick to react, palming the effort away.

Bolton's 'keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made an equally superb save moments later, denying Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's shot with a diving catch.

The Finnish Number 1 could do nothing about Ryan Giggs' free-kick on the 34th minute though. Ruud van Nistelrooy was tackled just outside the visitors penalty area, giving Giggs the chance from 30-yards out. He obliged with a stunning free-kick, which knocked against the post before finding it's way into the back of the net.

The Welsh Wizard has had to take a back-seat on free-kick duties to David Beckham for the last few seasons, but the 29-year-old proved he is just as capable as the England skipper with the mouth-watering opener.

Wanderers continued to battle hard, but failed to find an equaliser before the break.

The 1-0 half-time scoreline was extremely harsh on the visitors, who had played the better football for the majority of the opening 45 minutes, Bolton’s new recruit Ivan Campo running the show in midfield.

Half Time - Manchester United 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton had another spell of pressure in the early part of the second-half, which resulted in Kevin Nolan having another chance. The Scouse striker latched onto a Henrik Pedersen flick, but fired his shot well wide.

The visitors through on Youri Djorkaeff, complete with face mask to add to the attack, but all eyes were on one substitute - Cristiano Ronaldo. Sir Alex Ferguson introduced the wonder-kid on the hour-mark, and he received a standing ovation from the United masses.

The Portuguese Under-21 international re-paid the fans with an exciting display, showing his immense skill, and crossing ability.

Eric Djemba-Djemba also came on for the Red Devils. The Cameroon international has already made an impact with the Old Trafford faithful, following his Community Shield display.

Moments later, United were awarded a penalty after Ronaldo was tripped in the box. Ruud Van Nistelrooy stepped up looking to put his miss in the Community Shield shoot-out behind him. Sadly, the spot-kick ended in the same result, with Jussi Jaaskelainen making a fine diving save.

Encouraged by the miss, Bolton began to really push forward as they searched for an equaliser. Sam Allarydyce introduced Per Frandsen, looking to bring some fresh legs into midfield.

Bolton's hard-work failed to pay off though, and Ryan Giggs all-but secured the Red Devils victory with a simple tap-in, after Van Nistelrooy's drive had been blocked by the Bolton 'keeper.

Paul Scholes sealed up the three points when he latched onto an Eric Djemba-Djemba through ball, and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

With the win in the bag, Sir Alex took off brace hero Ryan Giggs, replacing him with Diego Forlan.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who was clearly frustrated by his second consecutive penalty miss, rubbed salt into the wounds of Bolton with a fourth United goal. The Dutch striker hammered the ball into the top corner of the net from close range, with the strike giving him the record of most consecutive goals in league games. Ruud took his tally to 9 consecutive games, beating Liam Whelan’s record of 8.

The scoreline was extremely harsh on Bolton, but United took their chances well and showed there well and truly is life after David Beckham and Juan Veron!

Full Time - Manchester United 4-0 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Laville, N'Gotty, Gardner, Giannakopoulos (Facey 76), Okocha, Campo, Nolan (Frandsen 72), Pedersen (Djorkaeff 59), Davies. Subs not used: Poole, Barness.

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