Five changes for Man Utd

Alex Ferguson made five changes to his starting line-up as Manchester United warmed up for their Champions League semi-final with Schalke by trying to claim a crucial Premier League win over Everton at Old Trafford.

Skipper Nemanja Vidic was amongst those to miss out, as Fabio, Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans were all handed their chance to impress.

With 10 points required to claim the title, United could hardly afford to take it easy against the top flight’s most in-form team, although Tim Cahill only made the bench and Mikel Arteta was not involved at all as the Toffeemen attempted to claim their first away win over the Red Devils since 1992.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Fabio Da Silva, Valencia, Gibson, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez. Subs: Kuszczak, Evra, Brown, Owen, Giggs, Carrick, Rafael Da Silva.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Neville, Rodwell, Bilyaletdinov, Osman, Beckford. Subs: Mucha, Cahill, Gueye, Vellios, Anichebe, Mustafi, Duffy.

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)