United's Scholes comes in for Richardson

Champions Chelsea brought their 40-match unbeaten Premiership run to Old Trafford hoping to wreck Alex Ferguson’s 19th anniversary as Manchester United boss.

Such is the injury-ravaged nature of Ferguson’s squad just now the only change he was able to make from the side which subsided so badly to Lille in midweek was the return of Paul Scholes after suspension.

Chelsea also came into the game on the back of a Champions League defeat – to Real Betis – and Jose Mourinho made three changes, recalling Asier del Horno after injury and also Damien Duff and Didier Drogba.