Ferguson gives youth its chance

Hours after chief executive David Gill confirmed Manchester United would be in the market for new midfield players in the summer, Alex Ferguson placed his faith in youth for this afternoon’s encounter with Liverpool.

Darren Fletcher, John O’Shea and Kieran Richardson were all named in a Red Devils midfield which, on paper, looked hopelessly outgunned by Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Mohammed Sissoko.

Patrice Evra was also handed a starting berth despite his dismal display in last weekend’s Manchester derby, hoping for better luck in an even more high-octane local spat, given slightly more relevance by Chelsea’s surprise draw with Charlton.

Man Utd v Liverpool teams

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Evra, Giggs, Fletcher, O’Shea, Richardson, Rooney, van Nistelrooy.

Subs: Howard, Saha, Vidic, Silvestre, Rossi.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell, Crouch, Cisse.

Subs: Dudek, Kromkamp, Morientes, Traore, Sinama Pongolle.

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire)