Premier League, Goodison Park - Everton 0 Manchester United 3 (Schneiderlin 18', Herrera 22', Rooney 62')
Manchester United mounted a rousing recovery from their 3-0 defeat at Arsenal a fortnight ago with Wayne Rooneyscoring against old club Everton in a convincing 3-0 stroll at Goodison Park.
The excellent Morgan Schneiderlin swept home the visiting side's opening goal on 18 minutes - and a memorable first for Louis van Gaal's side - before Ander Herrera pounced with an expertly finished header from a delightful Marcos Rojo cross four minutes later.
United could easily have been out of sight before half-time when Rooney sprung the home side's offside trap, but his cutback for Anthony Martial was blocked by an Everton body before landing fortunately in the arms of goalkeeper Tim Howard.
The last time United had led 2-0 away inside the opening 25 minutes of a Premier League outing was during their infamous 5-3 defeat in Leicester 13 months ago, but there was little prospect of a repeat collapse here.
Rooney finished off the home team - who had briefly rallied early in the second half - on 62 minutes when Schneiderlin collected a loose pass from Phil Jagielka to send Herrera scampering clear. He picked out Rooney in space to plant the ball beyond Howard in finding the net against his old club for the first time in seven outings.
With Manchester City enjoying a 5-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium, Van Gaal's side remain two points adrift of their local rivals at the summit of the Premier League table.
TALKING POINT: Are Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger and Herrera the way ahead for United? Certainly looks and feels that way. The key ingredient being the introduction of Schneiderlin after Van Gaal started with Schweinsteiger andMichael Carrick before United were swamped early on at Arsenal. There was a real menace and attacking vigour about United founded on their midfield platform. Seems obvious that Carrick and Schweinsteiger will probably have to job-share this season when everybody is fit. Which may be common sense in man managing two thirtysomethings against younger limbs. Schweinsteiger was replaced by Carrick late on, but the game had been won by that stage. At least Van Gaal knows what this side is capable of.
KEY MOMENTS
17' CHANCE! Ander Herrera takes aim after an exchange of passes between Schweinsteiger and Rooney and Tim Howard touches it over the bar.
18' GOAL! Everton 0-1 Manchester United! Morgan Schneiderlin sweeps the ball home after Everton fail to properly clear from a corner. Marcos Rojo helped it onto the midfielder.
22' - GOAL! Herrera nets a second goal for United with a header. Superb cross from Rojo and the visiting player couldn't miss. 2-0.
62' - GOAL! Rooney with the finish for 3-0. All too easy. Lovely stuff from Schneiderlin to pick out Herrera, and that is surely game over with Rooney placing the ball beyond Howard.
Manchester United's German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (L) jumps to clear the ball - AFP
70' - CHANCE! Rooney almost away for number four for United. Lovely pass by Martial for Rooney to turn Jagielka, but Howard is off his line to save bravely at the feet of the England captain.
KEY STATS
Manchester United equal the Premier League record for most away wins at a single stadium. Their 15 Premier League victories at Goodison Park is only exceeded by their own 15 PL wins at Villa Park.
Wayne Rooney (172) surpasses Denis Law to become the outright third all-time leading league scorer for Man United, behind only Bobby Charlton (199) and Jack Rowley (182).
Rooney (83) equals Andy Cole (83) in joint-third of the all-time leading PL away goalscorers.
Ander Herrera scores his 8th league goal for Man United, the most for any of his clubs: Athletic 7, Zaragoza 6.
Manchester United's Morgan Schneiderlin celebrates scoring their first goal - Reuters
Morgan Schneiderlin scores his first goal for Man United. It is United's first goal at Everton in the league after three away matches without a goal at Goodison Park.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Chris Smalling: A toss up really between the rangy United central defender and the outstanding Schneiderlin. Schneiderlin was impressive in midfield, but Smalling enjoyed an immense contribution in making Romelu Lukakulooking ordinary at various junctures of the afternoon.
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