Manchester United are succumbing to defeat at the hands of Everton, who lead 2-0 at the halfway point of their Premier League clash at Goodison Park.

The visitors were quickest out of the starting blocks as former Toffee Marouane Fellaini had a long-range effort blocked in the first few minutes, while Luke Shaw saw plenty of the ball down the left flank.

Everton soaked up the pressure well and hit United on the counter, with Antonio Valencia's failure to clear Gareth Barry's drive upfield giving the hosts the chance to maraud into the opposition box.

James McCarthy duly powered through half-hearted challenges from Paddy McNair and Daley Blind before slotting under David de Gea and into the net to break the deadlock in the fifth minute.

Louis van Gaal's charges set about trying to equalise and came close just two minutes later when Fellaini barged an Everton defender off the ball and tried his luck from 20 yards, but the effort soared high over the bar.

The game continued to provide high-tempo action at both ends as Leon Osman swivelled and fired a shot at goal that De Gea managed to hold, while Blind and Chris Smalling threatened Tim Howard with chances of their own.

Despite United's best efforts, they could not contain an incisive Everton side that soon doubled their lead from a 35th-minute corner that was whipped towards the near post, where John Stones rose high to thump a header home.

The resolute Toffees could have had a third on the stroke of half time, but Ross Barkley's effort from Aaron Lennon's cutback was blasted over the bar.