Radamel Falcao scored his first goal in United colours as the Red Devils clung on to a hard-fought victory against Roberto Martinez’s Everton side.
The Colombian netted in the second half to give United back to back victories in the Premier League, but it was goalkeeper David de Gea who shone the brightest as he denied the visitors with a string of world-class saves.
Everton came to Old Trafford with a fine recent record against United and their confidence was evident from the start as they saw much of the possession in the opening minutes, but it was United who looked the most dangerous in attack.
The home side boast an array of talent up front and new boy Falcao almost broke the deadlock as he latched on to Luke Shaw’s cross from the left, only to see his header well saved by Tim Howard.
United were getting plenty of joy on the left and van Persie shot over from a Di Maria cross as they looked to take advantage of their cutting edge.
Falcao shot wide after great interplay from Shaw and Di Maria, whilst Di Maria had an effort deflected over as the home side continued to create changes.
Di Maria was not going to be denied though, and after good work by Rafael down the right Mata set up the Argentinian to curl low past Howard to give United a deserved lead.
Howard had to be alert to deny Di Maria again from a free kick as United continued to look dangerous going forward.
United’s weakness at the back has long been a subject for discussion this season, and with their injury list van Gaal was again forced into playing an inexperienced centre back pairing in Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair.
McNair, just 19 and playing only his second game for the senior side, stood up well against the physicality of Lukaku, the Everton man failing to bully his young opponent throughout the game,
Lukaku finally got behind McNair with six minutes of the first half remaining, but shot off target as Everton failed to make any impression on de Gea's goal in the first period.
But for all of United's play going forward their defencive frailties are always simmering just below the surface and it was another defensive error which offered Everton a chance back into the game right on the stroke of half time.
Hibbert got in front of Shaw in the box and the United man could only bring his opponent down for a penalty.
The usually reliable Baines stepped up, but David de Gea guessed right, pushing the penalty away with a strong forearm as United went into the break with the advantage.
United started the second half in the same vein as the first, Falcao inches away from turning in Di Maria's cross shot at the far post.
Shaw then showed strength and speed down the left to set up Falcao, whose effort was deflected wide for a corner as that first goal in United colours remained elusive.
Everton capitalised on United's profligacy in front of goal as Baines made up for his failure from 12 yards by delivering a brilliant cross for Naismith to head high past de Gea.
The Merseysiders sensed blood and Jagielka's header from a Baines corner was cleared off the line at the far post by Falcao.
Having been involved in a key moment at one end the Colombian striker then proved effective at the other as he restored the home side's lead.
Di Maria scuffed a shot from distance, but arch-predator Falcao was on hand to lift it over Howard for his first goal for his new side.
United's injury curse struck again as Shaw was forced to leave the field with an knee injury, although van Gaal will be hoping it is nothing serious and the full back can be available again after the international break.
With time running out, Everton pushed for an equaliser, Osman forcing de Gea into a good low save with the keeper unsighted until late.
De Gea then produced an even better save from the same man as Everton carved United open in injury time, diving to his right to push away Osman’s effort.
Everton were forcing United back and after Blackett had denied Barry with a brave block, de Gea made a sensational save to deny Oviedo with a flying save.
It proved to be enough as United held on to move into the top four for the first time this season, at least for a few hours, and many wondering what all the early season talk of a crisis was all about.
Written by Andrew
The Colombian netted in the second half to give United back to back victories in the Premier League, but it was goalkeeper David de Gea who shone the brightest as he denied the visitors with a string of world-class saves.
Everton came to Old Trafford with a fine recent record against United and their confidence was evident from the start as they saw much of the possession in the opening minutes, but it was United who looked the most dangerous in attack.
The home side boast an array of talent up front and new boy Falcao almost broke the deadlock as he latched on to Luke Shaw’s cross from the left, only to see his header well saved by Tim Howard.
United were getting plenty of joy on the left and van Persie shot over from a Di Maria cross as they looked to take advantage of their cutting edge.
Falcao shot wide after great interplay from Shaw and Di Maria, whilst Di Maria had an effort deflected over as the home side continued to create changes.
Di Maria was not going to be denied though, and after good work by Rafael down the right Mata set up the Argentinian to curl low past Howard to give United a deserved lead.
Howard had to be alert to deny Di Maria again from a free kick as United continued to look dangerous going forward.
United’s weakness at the back has long been a subject for discussion this season, and with their injury list van Gaal was again forced into playing an inexperienced centre back pairing in Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair.
McNair, just 19 and playing only his second game for the senior side, stood up well against the physicality of Lukaku, the Everton man failing to bully his young opponent throughout the game,
Lukaku finally got behind McNair with six minutes of the first half remaining, but shot off target as Everton failed to make any impression on de Gea's goal in the first period.
But for all of United's play going forward their defencive frailties are always simmering just below the surface and it was another defensive error which offered Everton a chance back into the game right on the stroke of half time.
Hibbert got in front of Shaw in the box and the United man could only bring his opponent down for a penalty.
The usually reliable Baines stepped up, but David de Gea guessed right, pushing the penalty away with a strong forearm as United went into the break with the advantage.
United started the second half in the same vein as the first, Falcao inches away from turning in Di Maria's cross shot at the far post.
Shaw then showed strength and speed down the left to set up Falcao, whose effort was deflected wide for a corner as that first goal in United colours remained elusive.
Everton capitalised on United's profligacy in front of goal as Baines made up for his failure from 12 yards by delivering a brilliant cross for Naismith to head high past de Gea.
The Merseysiders sensed blood and Jagielka's header from a Baines corner was cleared off the line at the far post by Falcao.
Having been involved in a key moment at one end the Colombian striker then proved effective at the other as he restored the home side's lead.
Di Maria scuffed a shot from distance, but arch-predator Falcao was on hand to lift it over Howard for his first goal for his new side.
United's injury curse struck again as Shaw was forced to leave the field with an knee injury, although van Gaal will be hoping it is nothing serious and the full back can be available again after the international break.
With time running out, Everton pushed for an equaliser, Osman forcing de Gea into a good low save with the keeper unsighted until late.
De Gea then produced an even better save from the same man as Everton carved United open in injury time, diving to his right to push away Osman’s effort.
Everton were forcing United back and after Blackett had denied Barry with a brave block, de Gea made a sensational save to deny Oviedo with a flying save.
It proved to be enough as United held on to move into the top four for the first time this season, at least for a few hours, and many wondering what all the early season talk of a crisis was all about.
Written by Andrew