TEAM NEWS: Rooney & Van Persie start in attack for Manchester United against Everton

Feb 10, 2013 6:13:00 PM

Sir Alex Ferguson has elected to rest Michael Carrick ahead of Wednesday night's crunch Champions League tie against Real Madrid but sticks with his first-choice strike duo

Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie will start in attack for Manchester United against Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Sir Alex Ferguson has elected to rest Michael Carrick so Phil Jones starts alongside Tom Cleverley in central midfield, while Ryan Giggs features on the left flank.

Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans are the centre-backs tasked with dealing with Marouane Fellaini, who lines up alongside Victor Anichebe up front for David Moyes' visitors.

Phil Neville, Tim Howard and Darron Gibson are included in the Everton team to face their former club, while Kevin Mirallas gets the nod ahead of Steven Naismith on the right wing.

Netherlands defender Jonny Heitinga is also on the teamsheet after Sylvain Distin was forced to drop out of the starting XI through illness. Youngster Shane Duffy comes onto the bench in the Frenchman's absence.

Manchester United starting XI: De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Jones, Cleverley, Giggs; Rooney, Van Persie.

Subs: Amos, Anderson, Smalling, Chicharito, Carrick, Nani, Welbeck.

Everton starting XI: Howard; Neville, Jagielka, Heitinga, Baines; Mirallas, Gibson, Osman, Pienaar; Fellaini; Anichebe.

Subs: Mucha, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Stones, Duffy.

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