Manchester United 2-0 Cardiff City: Van Persie & Young strike on Mata debut

The returning Robin van Persie overshadowed Juan Mata on his debut as Manchester United
claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cardif City .
Spain international Mata
was given his first outing in a United shirt since completing his club-record £37.1 million deal from
Premier League rivals Chelsea on Saturday, but it was Van Persie - making his first appearance since
December 10 due to injury – who stole the show by notching the opener.
Mata played his part in a lively United performance,
and he was afforded a standing ovation by the Old
Trafford crowd as he was withdrawn in the closing
stages, with Ashley Young's superb strike rounding
off a pleasing night for boss David Moyes.
Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who enjoyed
an 11-year spell as a player at United, could not
spoil the party against his former club - the
Norwegian enduring an unhappy homecoming as he
continues to search for his first Premier League
victory in charge.
The home side controlled the tempo in the first half
and deservedly moved ahead when Van Persie
scored his fifth goal in his last six Premier League
games with a close-range header.
United continued to impress and Young added a
second with a fierce strike just short of the hour
mark, as the Red Devils surpassed 1,000 points at
Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Moyes utilised Mata behind Van Persie, while Wayne
Rooney was on the substitutes' bench after a five-
match lay-off with a groin injury.
As well as welcoming back Solskjaer, there was
another familiar face for United fans in the Cardiff
line-up, with former United striker Fraizer Campbell
in their starting XI.
The home side were rewarded for a bright start with
the opener after six minutes.
Antonio Valencia headed Young's teasing delivery
against the crossbar and, although David Marshall
saved Van Persie's initial follow-up, the Dutchman
nodded home the rebound.
Mata was at the heart of all United's attacking play
but, despite their solid start, it took until the 34th
minute for the champions to fashion another chance
of note when Patrice Evra's clever backheel found
the lively Van Persie, who flashed an effort across
goal from an acute angle.
Cardiff could have punished the hosts when Craig
Noone crossed from the right, only for his delivery to
narrowly evade Campbell.
The visitors enjoyed a spell of pressure after the
break and Declan John's cutback only just escaped
the attentions of Campbell once again.
United were rarely in danger, however, and Young
made it 2-0 on 59 minutes when he received the ball
on the left before cutting inside and skipping past
two challenges to rifle into the far corner from 25
yards.
Rooney replaced Van Persie shortly afterwards - and
he was soon among the action with a deflected effort
sailing narrowly wide.
Valencia then saw Marshall tip his effort onto the
post as United piled on the pressure.
Mata had an effort deflected over before he was
withdrawn with time running out, receiving the
adulation of his new fans.
Rooney then curled wide from 20 yards in injury time
but United had done enough.