Büttner signs for United

Dutch defender Alexander Büttner has today completed his medical, agreed personal terms and signed for Manchester United on a five-year contract until 2017.

The 23-year-old, who was part of Holland's preliminary squad for this summer's European Championship, joins the Reds from Vitesse Arnhem, where he made 119 appearances over the past four years.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Alexander is one of the best young left backs in Europe and we're delighted to sign him. He's someone we've been watching for a while now. He gives us some really exciting options in that position."

Alexander Büttner said: "Joining Manchester United is one of the best days of my life. It's a team I have admired for many years now and I can't wait to join my teammates and play my part in helping the club be successful."

Everton have defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Goodison Park

Van Persie came off the bench for the final 22 minutes at Goodison as United searched for an equaliser after Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini had headed Everton into a second-half lead.

But the Dutchman, signed from Arsenal for £24 million ($A36.34 million), was unable to make an immediate impact for his new club and Everton held on for a deserved win in their opening game of the season.

United goalkeeper David de Gea was the busiest player in the match, playing behind a second-string defence featuring only two recognised defenders: Nemanja Vidic, who had not played since December because of knee injury; and Patrice Evra, whose future has been a matter for debate all summer.

Winger Antonio Valencia was deployed at right-back while midfielder Michael Carrick was positioned alongside Vidic in the absence of the injured Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling

De Gea made a series of superb saves to deny Steven Pienaar, Leighton Baines and Leon Osman in the first half, and Everton also hit the woodwork, through Fellaini and Osman, before they deservedly claimed the lead in the 57th minute.

Fellaini took full advantage of Carrick's lack of aerial power as he rose above the United star to thump a close-range header past de Gea from Darron Gibson's corner.

United were denied an equaliser when Phil Jagielka cleared Tom Cleverley's shot off the line, and there was no way back for them even after van Persie had replaced Danny Welbeck in the 68th minute.

"It was a great result," Everton manager David Moyes said.

"It's not very often you beat Manchester United, so we will enjoy it.

"There was a lot of attention on United before the game, but I think a lot of people forgot that Everton are a good team as well.

"We had some really good chances and their goalkeeper made some good saves.

"Fellaini was excellent.

"We know he is capable of that.

"He caused them some problems.''

Fellaini said: "It was a good goal, it was a good cross, a good corner. It was good for me and for Everton.

"Everton had a lot of chances in the first half and we had to keep going and hoped the team scored.

"I think everybody was motivated. Manchester United is a great club. Everybody is motivated, and I think today everybody played well."

Everton defender Phil Jagielka said the Toffees had identified Carrick's selection in United's defence as a weakness to be targeted.

"He's not a natural central defender," Jagielka said of Carrick.

Welbeck notes Fergie message

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Danny Welbeck the devastation of last season's Barclays Premier League title disappointment will be the making of him.

On the way back from Sunderland, after United had the title snatched from their grasp by Sergio Aguero's injury-time winner, Ferguson took a walk on the team bus.

He singled out the youngsters in his squad, Welbeck included, and told them never to forget what had just happened.

"You will never forget this, this will win you titles. This will make you into men and be the best you can be'."
Sir Alex Ferguson to the Man Utd youngstersQuotes of the week

"On the last day of the season, when we were travelling home from Sunderland he went round the coach, spoke to a few of the youngsters and said 'you will never forget this, this will win you titles. This will make you into men and be the best you can be'," said Welbeck

"When he says something like that, you take note of it. I will never forget that day."

The misery should provide additional motivation for the Red Devils, who begin their campaign at Everton on Monday Night Football.

"How the last day of the season finished was epic. It was not good for us but it was for the other side of Manchester," said Welbeck.

Robin van Persie's arrival has livened up the atmosphere aroundOld Trafford after three years of seeing all the marquee players join City."I am a United fan. We lost it to our biggest rivals, so it did hurt that little bit more. It cut deep. It would be massive for us to win it back off them."

Van Persie is expected to start on the bench, although he should be introduced at some stage.

Not that everything is rosy for Ferguson amid reports that Rio Ferdinand is set for an extended period on the sidelines after picking up a training-ground injury.

With Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also sidelined, Michael Carrick seems likely to partner skipper Nemanja Vidic in central defence on Monday.