LONDON (AFP) - Wayne Rooney returned from injury to give Manchester United manager David Moyes his first win at Old Trafford as the striker's free-kick clinched a 2-0 victory over 10-man Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Rooney had missed United's defeat by Liverpool and England's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine after suffering a gashed head in a training ground collision with teammate Phil Jones.

But, wearing a black headband to protect the damaged area, Rooney marked his return to action with his first goal of the season in the 81st minute.

Robin van Persie had struck from the spot to give United the lead in first-half stoppage-time after Palace's South African midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi was sent off for fouling Ashley Young.