Wayne Rooney fails to even make the Manchester United bench as Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez are chosen to lead the line at Old Trafford against Blackburn Rovers.
Danny Welback is expected to start on the left of a four-man midfield with Antonio Valencia and Ji-Sung Park starting at the heart.
Rafael has recovered from injury to start at right-back, with Michael Carrick partnering Phil Jones at centre-back.
Will Keane starts on the bench for United, the young forward will be hoping to be given a chance to impress following some fine displays for the youth and reserve sides.
The visitors make two changes from the side that picked up a point at Anfield on Boxing day, Junior Hoilett and David Dunn both missing out, with Radosav Pertovic and Ruben Rochina brought into the starting XI.
Manchester United starting XI: De Gea; Rafael, Carrick, Jones, Evra; Nani, Valencia, Park, Welbeck; Berbatov, Hernandez.
Subs: Lindegaard, Anderson, Diouf, Pogba, W Keane, Fryers, Cole.
Blackburn starting XI: Bunn; Lowe, Samba, Hanley, Henley; Nzonzi; Formica, Petrovic, Rochina, Pedersen; Yakubu
Subs: Slew, Blackman, Goodwillie, Vukcevic, Morris, Kean, Linganzi.