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Manchester United 3 Fulham 2:

Robin van Persie marked his first start for Manchester United with a fine goal as Sir Alex Ferguson's side saw off Fulham at Old Trafford.

Van Persie, who came on as a substitute in Monday's defeat at Everton after completing his £24million move from Arsenal, was given the nod with Wayne Rooney starting on the bench.

Olympic sprint king Usain Bolt was paraded on the pitch before the match but it was Damien Duff who made the fast start and grabbed a third-minute opener.

But the lead didn't last long as Van Persie opened his account in superb style with the equaliser seven minutes later.

Pick that out: Robin van Persie scores his first goal for Manchester United

Another new recruit, Shinji Kagawa, fired United ahead ahead 10 minutes before the break, pouncing from close range after Mark Schwarzer blocked Tom Cleverley's shot, and Rafael got in on the act with a header.

United were in cruise control but they gifted the visitors a lifeline when Nemanja Vidic put the ball into his own net with 25 minutes left.

Rooney made his entrance just after Fulham's second, replacing Kagawa, but it was the Cottagers who stepped up the pace in search of the leveller.

United were forced to defend late on but they hold on for their first points of the campaign.

MATCH FACTS

Manchester United: De Gea, Da Silva, Carrick, Vidic, Evra, Cleverley, Anderson (Giggs 81), Valencia, Kagawa (Rooney 68), Young (Welbeck 68), Van Persie
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Evans, Hernandez, Scholes
Goals: Van Persie 10, Kagawa 35, Rafael 41
Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Briggs, Duff, Diarra (Baird 81), Dembele, Kacaniklic (Sidwell 62), Ruiz, Petric (Rodallega 72)
Subs not used: Stockdale, Kelly, Kasami, Halliche
Goals: Duff 3, Vidic (og) 64
Booked: Hangeland
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Attendance: 75,352

United front: Van Persie is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring for Manchester United

Slide rule: Robin van Persie enjoys his big moment after scoring his first goal in a Manchester United shirt

Jumping for joy: Damien Duff shocked United with an early opener for Fulham at Old Trafford

 

Show us your medals: Usain Bolt was on the pitch at Old Trafford before Manchester United played Fulham

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Get shirty: Olympic sprint king Usain Bolt with a special United shirt at Old Trafford

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You don't miss from there: Shinji Kagawa pounces to score for United after Tom Cleverley's shot was saved

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On top: Shinji Kagawa celebrates after firing Manchester United in front against Fulham

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Head boy: Rafael (No 2) was on target to put Manchester United 3-1 up just before the break

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Here we go again: Rafael peels away after scoring his goal

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Pitch invasion: Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer had enough to worry about without a bird in his box