Arsenal clash comes too fast for Ferdinand

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have returned, but there was no place for Rio Ferdinand in Manchester United’s starting line-up to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium today.

Ferdinand failed to overcame a niggling back injury and has been left out of United’s squad while Ryan Giggs comes in for Paul Scholes in midfield and defender Rafael drops to the bench.

Thierry Henry failed a fitness test and has been left out of Arsenal’s squad, but Thomas Vermaelen plays for the first time since New Year’s Eve and there was a first Premier League start for teenage winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Rosicky, Song, Ramsey, Walcott, van Persie, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Subs: Almunia, Park, Squillaci, Arshavin, Benayoun, Miquel, Yennaris.

Man Utd: Lindegaard, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Welbeck.

Subs: De Gea, Berbatov, Park, Hernandez, Fabio Da Silva, Rafael Da Silva, Scholes.

Referee: Mike Dean.