Swansea, Wales: A spectacular double from Robin van Persie helped Manchester United begin their Premier League title defense with a 4-1 win at Swansea on Saturday
David Moyes' first league match in charge of United couldn't have gone any better, with Van Persie matching Danny Welbeck's brace with two brilliant goals of his own to signal his intent on finishing top-scorer in England for a third straight season.
After securing his first piece of silverware at United by winning the Community Shield last weekend, Moyes now has a maiden league victory to savour.
Suddenly, the pressure of filling the boots of predecessor Alex Ferguson, who won 38 major titles in nearly 27 years at Old Trafford before retiring in May, doesn't feel so heavy.
"It's one game in 38 and, from that point of view, it's just the start for me," Moyes said.
It helps having someone like Van Persie in your team.
The Netherlands striker was the main reason why United were able to reclaim the league title from Manchester City last season and he has picked up where he left off, putting United ahead with an acrobatic volley in the 34th minute and then virtually sealing victory in the 72nd by smashing a 20-yarder into the top corner.
With Welbeck also weighing in with two goals - the second a deft chip in injury time - it justified Moyes' decision to leave unsettled striker Wayne Rooney on the bench until the 61st minute.
Rooney, who has been pushing for a move away from United, received a generous welcome by the travelling support when he entered and set up Welbeck's second goal in a sharp cameo.
Wilfried Bony's debut goal for Swansea made it 3-1 but Swansea faded after a bright start, with their defense unable to cope with the movement of Van Persie and Welbeck.
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