Wayne Rooney received his usual tirade of abuse from his former worshippers, but not before a one-minute standing ovation from both sets of supporters in memory of Everton and England legend Alan Ball who died tragically this week.
With Andy Johnson failing to recover from a sprained ankle, it was left to fit-again youngster James Vaughan to spearhead David Moyes' 4-5-1 formation.
Cristiano Ronaldo was left on the bench for United after receiving a knock in training on Friday.
Joleon Lescott should have put Everton ahead after just three minutes but his header from Mikel Arteta's corner skimmed agonisingly off the crossbar.
Everton though were certainly taking the game to United in the opening exchanges with Arteta and former Red Devil Phil Neville catching the eye.
On 13 minutes Alan Stubbs sent the home crowd into raptures by putting the Blues ahead with a thunderous free-kick.
Patrice Evra pushed Arteta in the back 30 yards from goal and Stubbs stepped up to power a drive through United's wall before an outstretched Michael Carrick foot helped deflect the ball past Edwin Van der Sar.
At the other end, young Iain Turner - in for the ineligible Tim Howard - pulled off a stupendous low save after Rooney had shot through Tony Hibbert's legs.
Rooney should have done better moments later when he guided a free header tamely at the keeper.
As the game progressed, Everton had to defend for long periods as United probed without much success as both Rooney and Alan Smith seemed somewhat subdued.
One great move saw Ryan Giggs supply a near perfect cross that Rooney failed to connected with by inches.
United flew out of the blocks in the second half, but it was Everton who went further ahead with a wonderful shot from on-loan midfielder Manuel Fernandes.
Arteta cut inside from 25 yards and played in the Portugal international who, with Wes Brown backing off, unleashed an unstoppable drive past Van der Sar.
Kieran Richardson replaced Evra as Sir Alex Ferguson tried to inject some spark into his lacklustre side.
Turner made a horrible mistake from a Giggs corner that got United right back into the game. John O'Shea couldn't believe his luck as Turner spilled an innocuous ball at his feet for him to slot into the net.
Ronaldo immediately replaced Smith as Ferguson smelled blood.
Neville then scored on own goal on 68 minutes to put United level as the decision to use Ronaldo paid instant dividends.
Turner was all over the place yet again as Ronaldo rose to head towards the Everton net and, when the keeper went to ground amid panic in the Blues defence, Neville hacked the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear.
James Beattie and James McFadden replaced Vaughan and Leon Osman as a desperate Moyes tried to get his team back on track.
But the script was written for former Toffees hero Rooney who duly obliged with a goal as Lee Carsley cleared only as far as O'Shea.
He played in Rooney and the England striker picked his spot in the back of the net between Turner and Hibbert from a tight angle.
Youngster Chris Eagles wrapped up the win after Rooney played a sweet chip for the substitute to run on to and score.