Becks named in team to face Spurs

David Beckham took centre stage at White Hart Lane as he was restored to the Manchester United starting line-up following his controversial substitute’s role against Real Madrid in midweek.

Beckham was one of three changes to the United side, with Roy Carroll replacing Fabien Barthez and Paul Scholes returning from European suspension.

Juan Sebastian Veron and Nicky Butt were both missing – even from the substitutes bench – with Gary Neville unable to win back his place at right-back.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was nevertheless retained as United, who thrillingly won 5-3 at White Hart Lane last season after trailing 3-0 at half-time, looked to move five points clear of Arsenal.

Tottenham fans were therefore in something of a quandary, knowing the victory needed to keep alive their faint hopes of a UEFA Cup spot would give Arsenal a significant hand in the title race.

Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle made two changes from the line-up which won 3-2 at West Brom on Easter Monday, with Mauricio Taricco and Gus Poyet replacing Anthony Gardner and Goran Bunjevcevic.