Wayne Rooney’s Old Trafford return finished in disappointment as Antonio Valencia’s sublime strike set Manchester United on course for a 4-0 victory against Everton.
The victory sees United move joint top of the Premier League, with the same record as Manchester City after five games.
Rooney was given a warm welcome at Old Trafford and left to a standing ovation, but it was Valencia that got fans buzzing early on 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.
Lukaku blew a glorious chance and Juan Mata hit the post as United attempted to blow the visitors’ threat away, with Rooney’s 82nd-minute substitution — the day before facing a drink drive charge at Stockport Magistrates’ Court — followed by three late goals.
Mkhitaryan drove home within seconds of Rooney’s departure and then Lukaku blasted the net against his former club before Martial’s stoppage-time penalty concluded a comprehensive victory.
It was quite the end to a match that started with an emphatic finish.
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