Opening Day Defeat

It was a disappointing start to the season for the 19-time league winners as they succumbed to defeat at Goodison Park in a tough opening encounter.

Despite a promising debut for £12million signing Shinji Kagawa as well as an excellent display in net from David De Gea, United's stars were outplayed by a determined Everton side. In particular, 6 foot 4 inch midfielder Marouane Fellaini was a huge threat all night, with United's make-shift defence struggling to handle the Belgian international.

After a lacklustre performance from the Reds, it was inevitably Fellaini who converted a header from a corner early in the second half that sent United crashing to their first opening day defeat in 8 years.

With injuries to Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, it was left to Michael Carrick to partner returning captain Nemanja Vidic at the heart of the defence, but alongside fellow midfielder Antonio Valencia, who stepped in at right back, found life tough to restrain the power of Everton's direct football.

Upfront, with new signing Robin Van Persie sat on the bench, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck struggled to find space and create clearcut chances, with Nani having a particularly difficult evening. Even after the inclusion of Van Persie and Ashley Young, no openings were found, and other than Tom Cleverley's shot that was brilliantly cleared off the line by Phil Jagielka, the Reds failed to test the hosts' goal.

Player Ratings:

De Gea, 9, Valencia, 5, Carrick, 5, Vidic, 5, Evra, 5, Scholes, 6, Cleverley, 6 (Anderson), Nani, 3 (Young), Kagawa, 7, Rooney, 4, Welbeck, 5 (Van Persie)

Man of the Match:

David De Gea - A stunning display from the young Spaniard, with a number of sensational saves which kept the Reds in contention.