EPL: Robin van Persie scores as Manchester United beat Fulham 3-2

Manchester: The shade of the shirt may have changed but Robin van Persie remains a red-hot Dutch master after marking his first Manchester United start with a goal in a 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham on Saturday.

Having swapped the crimson of Arsenal for the red checks of United's new home jersey, the 24 million pound ($38 million) man dug United out of an early hole by firing in a trademark volley on 10 minutes to cancel out Damien Duff's well-worked opener.

Japan's Shinji Kagawa also scored on his home debut, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder tapping in after Mark Schwarzer had spilled Tom Cleverley's shot.

Robin van Persie, who joined United from Arsenal earlier this month, scored his first goal for his new club in the 10th minute.

Right-back Rafael soon had the ball in the net again but was foiled by the offside flag only to head in the third with a rare goal on 41 minutes, the home side's rapid comeback witnessed by speed king and big United fan Usain Bolt.

Fulham pulled one back in the second half through a bizarre Nemanja Vidic own goal to prompt a very nervy finish for cavalier United, who had Wayne Rooney carried off on a stretcher with a nasty wound.

Rooney, who surprisingly started on the bench rather than partnering new signing Robin van Persie up front, had blood streaming from his leg after being caught by the boot of Hugo Rodallega and had to be carried off on a stretcher.

"He's got a very bad gash. It looks as if he'll be out for about four weeks. Obviously you've got to be careful with these things because of infections," Ferguson told Sky.

"We were playing absolutely great football. Then we lose a stupid goal, bad defending and it made a game," Ferguson added, aware that poor play at the back towards the end of last season contributed to United losing their title to Manchester City.

Ferguson, though, could only praise former Arsenal striker Van Persie for the Dutchman's effortless 10th-minute strike.

"It was a fantastic finish, absolutely brilliant, it epitomised the type of goalscoring ability he has. It lifted the place," he said.

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