The defending champions were keen to avoid the fates of Arsenal and Liverpool by collecting all three points against the Toffees and dominated the possession early in the game. However they were unable to break past a stubborn Everton side that was happy to let the hosts have all the possession as they looked to collect a third point against a top four side.

Carlos Tevez had a great chance to break the deadlock early in the first half but Tim Howard pulled off a brilliant save to deny the Argentinian. Cristiano Ronaldo went closest to scoring for United when his shot took a deflection off an Everton player before smashing against the post.

The hosts finally took the lead a minute before the half time whistle when Mikel Arteta fouled Michael Carrick inside the penalty area and Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot to give his side a deserved lead.

United had a penalty appeal turned down early in the second half when Carrick was fouled once again, this time by Joleon Lescott.

With Everton struggling to create chances, Van der Sar easily broke Steve Death's record of not conceding a goal in 1,104 as United secured a comfortable victory in the end.