Manchester United returned to winning ways with victory against West Ham.
United gave debuts to Luke Shaw and Paddy McNair and the home side made a blistering start as Wayne Rooney gave them the lead inside the first five minutes.
Rafael galloped down the right and picked out Rooney, who used the pace of the cross to guide the ball past Adrian into the far corner.
Enner Valencia should have levelled immediately, but smashed high over the bar when in acres of space.
United were looking good in possession moving forward and Di Maria shot over after good work from Blind.
Shaw and Rafael were working the flanks well, overlapping as United surged forward.
Rooney almost benefitted again from that service as Rafael got behind the West Ham defence as found his captain at the edge of the area, but scuffed his shot.
It didn't take United long to double their lead as Song was dispossessed inside his own half and Falcao threaded the ball through to van Persie who found the far corner.
Some of United's forward play was mesmerising and Di Maria should have done better after some good work by van Persie and Herrera.
United's frailties at the back continued as West Ham pulled a goal back from a corner.
Sakho had the easiest of headers from close range as de Gea came and didn't get the cross and when Valencia's initial header rebounded off the bar the big striker was unmarked to nod home.
United looked a little nervous following West Ham's goal, but Falcao's deflected effort almost gave them breathing space early in the second half.
The tempo had gone out of United's game and West Ham almost capitalised as Sakho forced de Gea into a point blank save at his near post.
Things went from bad to worse for United as Rooney's cynical challenge after an hour saw referee Lee Mason show the United captain a red card.
West Ham threw on Carlton Cole to add to the pressure on United's jittery backline and Sakho headed into the side netting.
With West Ham enjoying much more possession van Gaal brought on Fletcher at the expense of Falcao to try and release some of the pressure on his side.
Enner Valencia struck an effort just wide via a deflection as the Hammers launched another wave forward before McNair made a brilliant clearance to deny West Ham an equaliser.
The Hammers thought they had levelled with just a couple of minutes remaining as Nolan turned in from close in, but he was flagged offside and United were able to breath a huge sigh of relief.
The final whistle finally arrived to signal a hard fought win, but at a price with captain Rooney now ruled out for three games.
Written by Andrew
United gave debuts to Luke Shaw and Paddy McNair and the home side made a blistering start as Wayne Rooney gave them the lead inside the first five minutes.
Rafael galloped down the right and picked out Rooney, who used the pace of the cross to guide the ball past Adrian into the far corner.
Enner Valencia should have levelled immediately, but smashed high over the bar when in acres of space.
United were looking good in possession moving forward and Di Maria shot over after good work from Blind.
Shaw and Rafael were working the flanks well, overlapping as United surged forward.
Rooney almost benefitted again from that service as Rafael got behind the West Ham defence as found his captain at the edge of the area, but scuffed his shot.
It didn't take United long to double their lead as Song was dispossessed inside his own half and Falcao threaded the ball through to van Persie who found the far corner.
Some of United's forward play was mesmerising and Di Maria should have done better after some good work by van Persie and Herrera.
United's frailties at the back continued as West Ham pulled a goal back from a corner.
Sakho had the easiest of headers from close range as de Gea came and didn't get the cross and when Valencia's initial header rebounded off the bar the big striker was unmarked to nod home.
United looked a little nervous following West Ham's goal, but Falcao's deflected effort almost gave them breathing space early in the second half.
The tempo had gone out of United's game and West Ham almost capitalised as Sakho forced de Gea into a point blank save at his near post.
Things went from bad to worse for United as Rooney's cynical challenge after an hour saw referee Lee Mason show the United captain a red card.
West Ham threw on Carlton Cole to add to the pressure on United's jittery backline and Sakho headed into the side netting.
With West Ham enjoying much more possession van Gaal brought on Fletcher at the expense of Falcao to try and release some of the pressure on his side.
Enner Valencia struck an effort just wide via a deflection as the Hammers launched another wave forward before McNair made a brilliant clearance to deny West Ham an equaliser.
The Hammers thought they had levelled with just a couple of minutes remaining as Nolan turned in from close in, but he was flagged offside and United were able to breath a huge sigh of relief.
The final whistle finally arrived to signal a hard fought win, but at a price with captain Rooney now ruled out for three games.
Written by Andrew