Scholes back for United

Paul Scholes has returned to the Manchester United starting line-up for this afternoon’s Premier League encounter with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Scholes’ absence in midweek was cited as one of the major reasons for United’s shock defeat at Wigan, which provided Manchester City with the opportunity to cut the gap to two points yesterday.

Rafael and Danny Welbeck are also recalled, whilst Ciaran Clark and Gary Gardner have been named by Villa boss Alex McLeish, whose side are still not clear of relegation trouble.

Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Young, Rooney, Welbeck.

Subs: Amos, Jones, Berbatov, Giggs, Hernandez, Nani, Cleverley.

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Collins, Baker, Lichaj, Bannan, Ireland, Clark, Gardner, Weimann, Agbonlahor.

Subs: Guzan, N’Zogbia, Delfouneso, Heskey, Cuellar, Johnson, Carruthers.

Referee: Mark Halsey.