David Moyes praises Manchester United after win over Swansea

Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck each on the score sheet twice, while Wayne Rooney gets a welcome reception after being introduced as a second-half substitute.

Manchester United's English striker Danny Welbeck, centre, celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Robin van Persie, left, Tom Cleverley, right, against Swansea. Ian Kington / AFP

SWANSEA // There was a new man at the helm but it turned out to be the same old Manchester United as David Moyes's men cruised to victory over Swansea City in his first competitive game in charge.

Robin van Persie scored twice, as did Danny Welbeck to ensure the Moyes Era started with a victory.

"It very much was a Manchester United display," Moyes told BBC Sport. "We were clinical in attack and I am very pleased.

"This is a tough place to come and we won well in the end.

"Today was my first game at Manchester United. I was excited, but it's just work to me. It's the same as I've done at Everton over the last 10 years or so."

The contribution by Van Persie, the league's leading scorer last season, was sublime, hooking in the opener before smashing home a 20-yard effort 17 minutes from time, on an assist from Wayne Rooney.

Named as a substitute due to his lack of match practice, Rooney was introduced for the final half-hour and, given his desire to join Chelsea, it must have been heartening for the striker to receive a warm ovation from United's travelling support. "People know good players, and Wayne is a good player and people want them in your team," Moyes told Sky Sports 1, in reference to Rooney.

It remains to be seen whether it is enough to change Rooney's apparent preference for a transfer to Chelsea, although given United's steadfast "not for sale" stance, that may not count for much anyway.

He noticeably did not join in the touchline celebrations after Van Persie scored.

However, he must be aware that, even without any significant new arrivals, United are still destined to be championship contenders this term.

"He got 65 minutes in the game against Scotland and I felt he could do a job today if he came in," Moyes said. "He's not ready yet, physically, as he's not done a lot of training but he came on and had a great run."

United will welcome Jose Mourinho's Chelsea to Old Trafford in eight days, with many of the fears surrounding the succession of Moyes already banished.

Swansea had already escaped from a couple of defensive lapses, which led to missed opportunities by Ryan Giggs and Van Persie, when the Dutchman evaded the attentions of the home defence and was allowed to drift into space behind the centre-halves. With the Swansea right-back Angel Rangel playing Van Persie onside, only one outcome was ever likely.

The back-to-back Golden Boot winner showed his class, hooking a shot into the corner to make him the first United player to score a league goal for someone other than Ferguson since Peter Davenport tallied for Ron Atkinson, in 1986.

Swansea again were architects of their own downfall as Ben Davies got sucked into a central position attempting to clear a Patrice Evra cross, allowing Antonio Valencia to return the ball to the edge of the six-yard area, where Welbeck turned it home.

It was no surprise when the Swans manager Michael Laudrup sent out a call for his £12 million (Dh69m) signing Wilfried Bony at the break; the striker missed out on a starting berth due to midweek international duties in the United States.

Rooney was introduced for Giggs shortly afterwards, a move well received by the visiting contingent, who bellowed the striker's name in their usual manner, with no hint of annoyance.

Rooney claimed an assist for Van Persie's second, finding his strike partner with a short pass. Van Persie stepped round Chico Flores and applied a powerful finish that flew into the top corner.

Bony netted a consolation for Swansea but the contest itself was already over, and Welbeck eclipsed his meagre goal tally from last season with a tally in stoppage time, a wonderful finish chipped over the goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

"We are very happy. To play against Swansea away from home is tough. It's tough. I love the way they play but it's hard to play against," said Van Persie, who scored twice for the second match in succession, following his double in the Community Shield win last Sunday.

"Swansea were better than us for the first 20 minutes or so but the goal changed the game. It was one of the best goals I have scored with my right foot. But the fourth goal from Danny Welbeck was unbelievable."

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