Ferguson forced into changes for City clash

Manchester United put their title challenge on the line at Eastlands knowing local rivals City could not have any more derby day incentive than the opportunity of ending it for good.

With Chelsea re-establishing a 12-point lead at the top yesterday, United boss Alex Ferguson was left in no doubt that unless his side ended their run of successive away defeats to Kevin Keegan’s men, a ninth Premiership crown would be a virtual impossibility.