TEAM vs Birmingham: O’Shea in for Rafa, Smalling in for Rio, Ando starts

The games have been coming thick and fast for Manchester United yet the Birmingham game seems like it was just last week.

The 1-1 draw at Saint Andrews was the only blemish on our Christmas record as a late (and illegal) Lee Bowyer goal pegged us back in our pursuit for a record 19th title.

Much has been made of our away form so thankful we return to the confines of Old Trafford today.

With the consequences from last weekend’s game against Spurs forcing his hand, Sir Alex has opted to employ at John O’Shea atright back in the place of the suspended Rafael whilst Smalling steps in for Rio. Anderson also replaces Fletcher.

Starting XI: VDS; O’Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs; Rooney, Berbatov

Subs: Kuszczak; Fabio, Evans, Gibson, Scholes, Obertan, Owen