Darren Fletcher was named on the bench as Manchester United looked to avoid suffering a hat-trick of Premier League defeats for the first time since December 2001 as they took on Aston Villa.

Manchester United 1 Shakhtar Donetsk 0

Robin van Persie has returned to the Manchester United starting line-up as David Moyes desperately tried to find the winning formula against Newcastle.

Robin van Persie was again absent from the Manchester United squad but Marouane Fellaini was selected to face former club Everton at Old Trafford.

Manchester United 4 Norwich 0

You can never escape history at Manchester United; the place is steeped in it.

Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 0

Sunderland 0 Manchester United 1

QPR 0 Man United 2

This week has been yet another where referees have been at the centre of a lot of controversy.

Ashley Young was dumped to the substitutes’ bench as Nani returned for a Manchester United side looking to tighten their grip on the Barclays Premier League title race by beating Everton at Old Trafford.

Paul Scholes has returned to the Manchester United starting line-up for this afternoon’s Premier League encounter with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Alex Ferguson made two changes to his Manchester United starting line-up as the Red Devils looked to go eight points clear by beating QPR at Old Trafford.

They might not have clinched the title at Ewood Park last night, like they did last season, but Manchester United took a huge stride towards securing a record 20th crown at the venue.

On a night of apologies at Old Trafford, referee Michael Oliver may feel he owes Manchester City a huge one.

Wolves 0 Manchester United 5

Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand returned to the Manchester United starting line-up as the Barclays Premier League champions aimed to continue their winning form by beating West Brom at Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s miserable European home form continued as they were completely outplayed by Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League last-16 first-leg tie last night.

Ryan Giggs was set to make his 900th appearance for Manchester United in today's Premier League clash at Carrow Road.

Luis Suarez was named in the Liverpool starting line-up for today’s Premier League encounter with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Twenty-one-year-old goalkeeper Ben Amos was handed his Premier League debut by Manchester United tonight as both Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea were ruled out of the Old Trafford encounter with Stoke.

Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1

Defender Patrice Evra captained Manchester United in their FA Cup fourth round tie against Liverpool but Wayne Rooney and Nani both miss the game.

ARSENE WENGER was forced to defend Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s substitution during yesterday’s defeat to Manchester United after Robin van Persie openly questioned the decision to replace the youngster.

IT was not vintage Manchester United but still a performance of champions, digging out victory when it looked like they were losing ground in the Premier League title race.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have returned, but there was no place for Rio Ferdinand in Manchester United’s starting line-up to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium today.

Paul Scholes was named in Manchester United’s starting line-up to face Bolton at Old Trafford this afternoon.

AFTER a humdrum week of cup football, one question jostled for attention above all others: What has become of the great English love of mime?

Wayne Rooney was not even named on the bench by birthday boy Alex Ferguson for Manchester United’s Premier League encounter with Blackburn at Old Trafford today

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson sprang a major surprise by naming midfielders Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia in his defence to face Wigan at Old Trafford this afternoon.

GLENN MURRAY headed the winner in extra time as Championship side Crystal Palace stunned Manchester United in the Carling Cup quarter-finals last night.

Wayne Rooney was missing from Manchester United’s squad for this evening’s Champions League Group C clash with Benfica at Old Trafford.

IT WAS a rousing send-off fit for kings of Europe. Whether Alex Ferguson’s side deliver against Barcelona on Saturday remains to be seen, but the countdown to Wembley is well and truly underway.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson made eight changes for this Champions League semi-final against Schalke at Old Trafford tonight.

Alex Ferguson has included one major surprise in his Manchester United starting line-up for tonight’s Champions League semi-final with Schalke with Brazilian full-back Fabio selected to fill the right-back slot.

Alex Ferguson made five changes to his starting line-up as Manchester United warmed up for their Champions League semi-final with Schalke by trying to claim a crucial Premier League win over Everton at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have gambled on Rio Ferdinand’s fitness for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Chelsea.

Nemanja Vidic has been forced to miss Manchester United’s Champions League last-16 clash with Marseille at Old Trafford after failing to recover from a calf injury.

ONE thing became apparent at Anfield yesterday.

Liverpool’s club record signing Andy Carroll made his first appearance in the matchday squad after being named among the substitutes for the visit of arch-rivals Manchester United.

Big-money striking duo Dimitar Berbatov and Edin Dzeko could do no better than a place on the bench for this afternoon’s Manchester derby.

Manchester United will get a glimpse of life after Edwin van der Sar tomorrow but travel to Southampton for their FA Cup fourth-round tie dealing with a defensive shortage.

Manchester United full-back Rafael has accepted a Football Association charge of improper conduct for his actions after he was sent off in his club’s 0-0 draw with Tottenham on Sunday, the FA have confirmed on their website.

MANCHESTER UNITED might be more than halfway to emulating the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-04 who went through the season unbeaten in the Premier League, but such is the focus inside the Old Trafford dressing room that not one player has given the possibility a single thought.