Manchester United v Everton - Story of the match

Manchester United were easy winners over Everton

Wayne Rooney's Old Trafford return ended in disappointment as Antonio Valencia's breath-taking strike set Manchester United on course for a comprehensive victory against Everton.

The build-up to Sunday's encounter revolved around the return of United's all-time top scorer for the first time since rejoining his boyhood club in the summer after 13 successful years in red.

Rooney was given a warm welcome at Old Trafford and left to a standing ovation, but it was Valencia that got fans on their feet as an outstanding half-volley kicked-off a United win that ended 4-0 thanks to late goals by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial.

TWEET OF THE MATCH

"STRIKEEEEEEEEEEEE @anto_v25" - Rio Ferdinand certainly enjoyed former Manchester United team-mate Antonio Valencia's early effort.

STAR MAN

Nemanja Matic: Another fine display in midfield by the summer signing. After setting up Valencia's goal, he bossed the midfield and helped control the tempo when things were tight. Chelsea may well be ruing their decision to sell him.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Just four minutes were on the clock when an innocuous Matic cross along the 18-yard-box was met by a remarkable Valencia strike, with the half volley curling into the net to send Old Trafford wild.

STAT OF THE MATCH

Everton have now lost four straight matches in all competitions. United are unbeaten in 33 home matches in all competitions.

RATINGS

MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United

David De Gea: 6

Ashley Young: 6

Phil Jones: 6

Eric Bailly: 6

Antonio Valencia: 7

Nemanja Matic: 7

Marouane Fellaini: 6

Marcus Rashford: 4

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 7

Juan Mata: 7

Romelu Lukaku: 7

Substitutes:

Jesse Lingard (For Rashford, 61): 6

Ander Herrera (For Mata, 77): 6

Anthony Martial (For Mkhitaryan, 88): 6

Everton

Jordan Pickford: 6

Cuco Martina: 7

Michael Keane: 6

Ashley Williams: 6

Phil Jagielka: 7

Leighton Baines: 6

Morgan Schneiderlin: 6

Idrissa Gana Gueye: 6

Tom Davies: 6

Gylfi Sigurdsson: 5

Wayne Rooney: 7

Substitutes:

Sandro Ramirez (For Davies, 66): 6

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (For Gueye, 76): 5

Kevin Mirallas (For Rooney, 82): 5

UP NEXT

Manchester United v Burton (Carabao Cup, September 20)

Everton v Sunderland (Carabao Cup, September 20)