Radamel Falcao breaks Manchester United duck as Louis van Gaal’s side prove too strong for Everton

RADAMEL Falcao scored his first Manchester United goal, Angel Di Maria grabbed the other and David De Gea starred in goals in a win over Everton.

RADAMEL Falcao scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 2-1 win over Everton as the Red Devils won consecutive Premier League games for the first time under manager Louis van Gaal.

Angel Di Maria opened the scoring for the hosts before United goalkeeper David de Gea saved a penalty from Leighton Baines.

The England international then picked out Steven Naismith, who put the teams level in the 55th minute.

Radamel Falcao gets off the mark for United.

Falcao, who joined United on loan from Monaco during the summer, sealed his team’s win seven minutes later, slotting home past Tim Howard after di Maria’s shot landed in the Colombian’s path.

“Everton got chances outside the box and they had good shots, but David De Gea was fantastic,” van Gaal said.

“Falcao was forcing himself last week against West Ham. I told him to be satisfied about his performances and that the goals are coming. The goals are coming. He will be even better after the international break.”

Leighton Baines missed his first ever penalty in the EPL, thanks to De Gea.

De Gea made a stunning save in stoppage time to tip over the bar Bryan Oviedo’s left-foot shot from 20 meters.

Falaco missed four chances but finally scored a poacher’s goal as United, which played without the suspended Wayne Rooney, claimed a deserved win after dominating from the start at Old Trafford.

Di Maria put the hosts in front with a curled effort past Howard from Juan Mata’s cross for his third goal of the season before Naismith got the better of Luke Shaw and headed home.

Manchester United's Angel Di Maria fires past Tim Howard.

De Gea was decisive throughout, denying Leon Osman and Oviedo after stopping Baines’ penalty kick.

“What was my most important save? Maybe the penalty,” De Gea said.

“Every save is important but the team played very well. I think the younger players in the team will learn from these types of games. The team and the manager need to look forward.”

Tony Hibbert is brought down by Luke Shaw.

Baines had scored 14 penalties from 14 attempts before his attempt at the bottom left was thwarted by De Gea.

“I think David is the guy the who deserves this reward rather than myself, he saved us throughout the game and particularly towards the end and the penalty as well so not only him but the rest of the side deserve this,” said Di Maria after being named man of the match.

Meanwhile, Everton’s woe was compounded by an injury to young defender John Stones.

The 20-year-old was set to be ruled out of England’s upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers with San Marino and Estonia after suffering an ankle injury.

David De Gea secured the points for Manchester United with this superb save.

The centre-back sustained the damage to his left ankle ligament late on during the match at Old Trafford and will be out for a “few weeks” according to Everton manager Roberto Martinez, a lay-off which would rule Stones out of both this week’s home match with San Marino and the game away to Estonia.

Stones, 20, left Old Trafford on crutches with a protective boot on his left leg.

United too had an injury scare when full-back Luke Shaw went off with a knee injury in the second half, although the teenager is still expected to join up with the England Under-21 squad.