Premier League: Man. United 4 Everton 0

Manchester United moved joint-top of the Premier League table with a 4-0 thumping of Everton at Old Trafford on Wayne Rooney's first return to Old Trafford since leaving in the summer.

Antonio Valencia handed the Reds the perfect start but there were some nervous moments until Henrikh Mkhitaryan added a second goal, shortly after Rooney was withdrawn to a warm ovation. Romelu Lukaku netted against his former club as the floodgates opened and there was still time for Anthony Martial to convert a stoppage-time penalty.

Valencia hammered a sublime first-time shot past Jordan Pickford in only the fourth minute, when Nemanja Matic picked him out on the edge of the box with an astute pass from left to right.

The Reds continued to probe for openings and should have doubled the lead when Michael Keane's stray pass was picked up by Juan Mata, who released Lukaku. Unfortunately, with the goal at his mercy, the former Toffees striker fired the wrong side of the post.

Rooney shot wide from one decent attack by the visitors and they remained very much in the game, with David De Gea saving from Tom Davies's header when the youngster was offside in any case. After the break, Everton began to get on top with Rooney thwarted by De Gea after tackling Eric Bailly inside the box and the keeper also denied Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Mata almost extended United's advantage when crashing a free-kick off an upright after he was fouled on the edge of the box by Ashley Williams but any anxiety was eased when Mkhitaryan stroked home an unselfish pass by Lukaku.

Belgium international Lukaku got in on the act himself when steering in soon afterwards. His free-kick may have hit the wall but he remained alive to an opening and tucked past Pickford as Jesse Lingard flicked on a deflected Matic centre.

With time running out, United went for the kill and Martial showed quick feet inside the box, only for ex-Red Morgan Schneiderlin to slide in and handle the ball. The lively substitute took on the responsibility himself and added number four to ensure Jose Mourinho's men have matched neighbours City's record in the league this term.

David De Gea preserved another clean sheet, his 100th for the club, when making a brilliant stop to keep out Sandro Ramirez's long-range effort on another afternoon to remember at Old Trafford.

THE LINE-UPS

United: De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Jones, Young; Matic, Fellaini; Mata (Herrera 77), Mkhitaryan (Martial 88), Rashford (Lingard 61), Lukaku.

Subs not used: Romero, Smalling, Carrick, Darmian.

Yellow card: Bailly.

Everton: Pickford; Martina, Keane, Williams, Jagielka, Baines; Schneiderlin, Davies (Sandro 66), Gueye (Calvert-Lewin 76); Sigurdsson; Rooney (Mirallas 80).

Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Holgate, Besic, Klassen.

Yellow card: Williams.

TALKING POINTS

Old friends, new foes
This game saw a number of players going up against their old team-mates, most notably Wayne Rooney facing the club where he was a fan favourite for over a decade. In addition, Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Keane also returned to face their former employers. Likewise, Romelu Lukaku came up against the Toffees for the first time since his departure while Marouane Fellaini also met his old side.

Killer instinct at the death
Despite the game being very close for large periods, the Reds ran riot late on - as we have done on a few occasions already in 2017/18. This is a testament to the ruthlessness of United’s front line who really seem to be answering the fans' chants of ‘Attack!’ this season.

De Gea’s 100th clean sheet
This is an achievement that reflects the outstanding ability of Spain's number one. This performance included several highlight-reel saves as De Gea stopped efforts from Rooney, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Sandro Ramirez in spectacular fashion.

Lukaku delivers yet again
In a game where Lukaku worked tirelessly for his team and had his mind fixed on finding the net, the outcome was inevitable. Another powerhouse performance from the striker, who put a first-half miss behind him, and showed he’s as good as providing goals as he is scoring them as he assisted Mkhitaryan in a key moment in the game.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE REDS?
United entertain Burton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, again at Old Trafford, before next Saturday's Premier League assignment is away to Southampton.