Van Persie and Rooney on target as Moyes records first win at Old Trafford

Robin van Persie scored a penalty shortly before half-time and Wayne Rooney struck a fine free-kick, as Manchester United defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 at Old Trafford.

The current champions of the Premier League, were not at their fluent best in Saturday’s early kick-off and struggled to break down a well organised Palace side. Van Persie had two early chances – his audacious flick didn’t come off and his effort from a glorious Rooney pass hit the bar – before Ashley Young’s run into the box was illegally halted.

Dikgacoi was sent off and Van Persie sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

United failed to make their numerical superiority count in the second half, until the 80th minute, when Rooney’s free-kick squeezed in past Speroni, to hand David Moyes his first win at Old Trafford, in front of the onlooking Sir Alex Ferguson.

#hot