Even by Paul Scholes's standards the timing was impeccable. On an afternoon when the former England international celebrated his 500th Manchester United appearance, a landmark only eight other players have reached in the club's history, he provided the platform for a convincing home win with a goal typical of his contribution at Old Trafford.

After more than a decade in the Premiership his ability to arrive in the area at just the right moment continues to confound opponents.

Alex Ferguson suggested the goal was extra special because it came against Liverpool, "our biggest rivals", although Scholes, never one to seek attention, probably found as much pleasure scoring on the Greater Manchester playing fields he graced as a teenager. Indeed by the time United's other scorer, Rio Ferdinand, was asked if Scholes might be inclined to mark the moment with a rare interview, he joked that his team-mate was already on the way home.

Scholes was not but, typically, his response was restrained: "It's quite special whether it's your 500th or first game playing for Manchester United," said the 31-year-old.

Liverpool might as well have packed up from the moment Scholes scored. There appeared little danger when he seized possession around 25 yards from goal, but a clever header released Wayne Rooney, whose stabbed pass played in Ryan Giggs.

Scholes's mind was thinking quicker than anyone else's, and his penetrative run towards the Liverpool six-yard box went untracked. Jose Reina managed to take the sting out of his first shot but there was nothing he could do to stop the second.

It was Scholes's 90th Premiership goal but the first since St Stephen's Day after last season was truncated by a serious eye problem. There had been concerns that he might not make a full recovery, but no one should have doubted the determination that burns inside of Scholes. It was the same commitment that he showed to stab the ball over the line when Sami Hyypia attempted to race back and clear.

"I was so pleased for him," said Ferguson. "He really deserved it on his 500th game."

The United manager was in generous mood, indicating that Liverpool could re-enter the title race and that Michael Carrick had been among his side's better performers. Neither assessment appeared accurate with Liverpool totally disjointed and Carrick playing like a footballer intimidated by new surroundings. His shortcomings would have been highlighted further were it not for Liverpool's frailties in midfield. Elsewhere, there was more reason to be upbeat with Scholes, Giggs and Darren Fletcher excelling.

Rafael Benitez admitted the defeat was one of his most disappointing days as Liverpool manager.

"It is clearly one of my most disappointing days as manager of the club. It is a game I know everybody at the club and the supporters wants us to win, particularly at Old Trafford. I felt we started the game well but we didn't create enough. We had some chances and good possession, but we could not create clear openings. Things were okay until we conceded the first goal."

Benitez has still to register a league victory over United. He added: "We played well on the wings and between the lines but we did not make enough chances. That is where we must improve.

"Away from home we need to win to improve confidence. We are controlling long spells of games, getting the ball into danger areas but not causing defences problems.

"We lost Craig Bellamy this timewith a calf injury in the final training session, and his pace and running would have been a major influence on what we were doing.

"I know we are 11 points behind, but I cannot change that now . . . Whether you are top, bottom or in the middle of the table, you have to only think about how to get better and to win the next one. "

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