Giggs and Neville relegated to the bench

Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville paid the price for Sunday’s Worthington Cup final failure when they were axed to the bench for the visit of Leeds to Old Trafford.

The international duo were among three changes to the side beaten by Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium, although the absence of England defender Wes Brown had virtually been confirmed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday.

With Nicky Butt and Quinton Fortune starting their first Premiership games since October and November respectively, it meant another central defensive outing for skipper Roy Keane, even though the Irishman stated last night that he was uneasy in the role.

John O’Shea was named at right-back, with Mikael Silvestre recovering from a knee strain to occupy the rearguard berth on the opposite flank in a game United need to win given their starting position eight points adrift of Arsenal.

The omens certainly appeared optimistic.

Leeds have not registered an Old Trafford win since Brian Flynn notched the only goal back in 1981.

Their last league double came over 30 years ago and Terry Venables arrived without a host of key men, including suspended Elland Road match-winner Harry Kewell and defensive duo Dominic Matteo and Gary Kelly.

And the appearance of old boy Rio Ferdinand in the home line-up was a cruel reminder of how far Leeds have tumbled in the cash stakes since last summer.

Man Utd: Barthez, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Keane, Silvestre, Beckham, Butt, Veron, Fortune, Scholes, van Nistelrooy.

Subs: Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Giggs, Carroll, Fletcher.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Lucic, Radebe, Harte, Barmby, Seth Johnson, Okon, Bravo, Viduka, Smith. Subs: Martyn, McPhail, Cansdell-Sherriff, Kilgallon, Milner.

Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire)