United 2 Valencia 0

Only Michael Owen will know how he failed to score on his Old Trafford debut. In front of the watching England manager Fabio Capello, Sir Alex Ferguson’s “most controversial” summer signing, was presented with three gilt-edge opportunities to get his name on the score-sheet, only to fluff his lines on each occasion.

And so it was down to Rooney to put United ahead on 52 minutes – and he owed much to Antonio Valencia, who impressed on his first appearance in front of his new fans. Taking the ball to the byline on the right, the Ecuadorian lifted a cross into the six yard box, which Rooney powered into the top corner.

Valencia was once again the provider for Cleverley to seal the win, beating a man before centering for Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian failed to connect, as did Federico Macheda, but Cleverley made no mistake tucking the ball home.