Wayne Rooney converted two disputed penalties and finished off a superb counter-attack, before Ryan Giggs netted his 100th Premier League goal with a late free-kick.
Kevin-Prince Boateng found the net for the home side – also with a controversial spot-kick.
So Avram Grant’s career picked up where it left off; losing on penalties to United in the rain.
Eighteen months ago, the Israeli was sacked as Chelsea boss after an epic Champions League final shoot-out defeat in Moscow.
In his first game in charge of the Premier League’s bottom side, United again prevailed but needed some questionable decisions from referee Mike Dean to help them
Rooney goal:
Boateng goal:
Rooney goal:
Rooney Hattrick:
Giggs goal: