By David Hobbs
August 13 2005

The attacking prowess of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney is paying dividends as their goals sealed a United victory on the first match of the Premiership season.

Everton 0

Manchester United 2
Ruud van Nistelrooy, 43
Wayne Rooney, 46

The attacking prowess of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney is paying dividends as their goals sealed a United victory on the first match of the Premiership season.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs were noticeable absentees from United's starting XI, prompting Park Ji Sung to make his first competitive start as a Red Devil. John O'Shea continued his spell at left-back as Gabriel Heinze continued his summer rest on the bench.

Phil Neville made his Premiership debut for the Toffees against the club he's supported and been with since a young teenager following his summer move.

David Moyes was forced to make an early change in the second half after James Beattie picked up an injury. Beattie's start was a controversial decision but Marcus Bent took his place.

Everyone expected a physical battle between the two clubs and tackles flew in at all angles on a damp Goodison Park pitch with Paul Scholes and Alessandro Pistone receiving respective bookings.

Despite a number of half-chances, Ruud van Nistelrooy broke the deadlock moments before the first-half, hitting John O'Shea's cross from 18-yards out beyond Nigel Martyn.

Just 27 seconds into the second-half, Everton's hopes of coming back were squashed by Wayne Rooney as the former Toffee slotted to double his side's advantage from 18-yards out.

Tim Cahill's aerial presence troubled United throughout both halves and came close on several occasions. Edwin van der Sar blocked most of the efforts.

Phil Neville was finally cautioned following a challenged on the player who forced him out of Old Trafford, Park Ji Sung.

Many substitutions were made midway through the first half. Duncan Ferguson, Kevin Kilbane and Gabriel Heinze were all introduced.

Everton's second half tactics were virtually threw out of the window when Rooney bagged his first Premiership goal of the new season and failed to pose much of a threat afterwards.

Kieran Richardson and Alan Smith came on with moments to go to freshen up the attack and midfield as United held on to their deserved lead.

Final Score: Everton 0 - 2 Manchester United
Att: 38,610

Everton: N Martyn, T Hibbert, D Weir, J Yobo, A Pistone, P Neville, S Davies (76 K Kilbane) , M Arteta, T Cahill, L Osman (64 D Ferguson) , J Beattie (20 M Bent)

Manchester United: E Van der Sar, G Neville, R Ferdinand, M Silvestre, J O'Shea, D Fletcher (72 G Heinze) , R Keane, P Scholes (81 A Smith) , J Park (85 K Richardson) , W Rooney, R van Nistelrooy

Refereed By: G Poll