All eyes were on Rio Ferdinand as he returned after an eight-match ban on Monday but it was his central defensive partner Mikael Silvestre who stole the show with both goals in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool.

Ferdinand was given a great welcome by the home fans at Old Trafford as he appeared for the first time since being banned last January for missing a drugs test and the England defender put in a solid performance on his comeback.

But it was Silvestre, heavily criticised during United's stuttering start to the season, who secured the much-needed Premier League win with headed goals in each half either side of a John O'Shea own goal.

Coming after four successive draws it was only United's second win in six Premier League games and takes them eighth place on nine points, seven behind leaders Arsenal.

Liverpool, who looked second best for almost the entire match, slipped to 12th on seven points.

"It was brilliant, the fans were fantastic," Ferdinand told Sky Sports TV.

"It was just nice to get out there and play and forget about everything that has gone before.

"It was never going to be easy, it's all new again, but I got into it and it was nice to get defending again. Hopefully, we can get our season back on track."

Manager Alex Ferguson was happy to have Ferdinand back. "He brings a composure and assuredness that transmits itself through the whole team," he said.

Of United's poor start, Ferguson added: "We've always said, 'Get the players back then you can see the strength of Manchester United'."

EXTRA SPICE

Always one of the highlights of the league season, Monday's clash between the north-west powerhouses was given extra spice by their desperate need for points after poor starts.

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United took charge from the first whistle and went ahead after 20 minutes when Ryan Giggs swung in a free kick from the right wing and French defender Silvestre was left totally unmarked to head home from six metres.

Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier hit a post, Gabriel Heinze had a header tipped over by Jerzy Dudek after 35 minutes and Ruud Van Nistelrooy headed narrowly over three minutes later as United piled on the pressure.

In the previous four years Liverpool had won the fixture three times, all 1-0 via a Danny Murphy goal, but with the midfielder now at Charlton Athletic and striker Michael Owen at Real Madrid it was hard to see where a goal might come from.

The visitors suffered a further blow five minutes before halftime when captain and midfield driving force Steven Gerrard went off with a foot injury.

The midfielder will have an X-ray on Tuesday but it is feared he may have broken a bone, which could sideline him for up to two months -- keeping him out of England's next two World Cup qualifiers.

Liverpool did look livelier after the break and scrambled an equaliser in the 54th minute.

Xabi Alonso delivered a deep free kick that Steve Finnan headed down and the ball struck O'Shea on the foot and rolled over the line.

It led to a brief spell of Liverpool pressure but United restored their lead when Silvestre rose well to head home a Giggs corner in the 66th minute.