The 28-year-old, who returned this season following a long injury lay-off, has been rested as part of his recovery process, according to Sky Sports News.
Jonny Evans will start alongside Rio Ferdinand in the centre of the United defence.
Sports Mole's live commentary of the action can be found here.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Liverpool | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 54 | 21 | 33 | 53 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 23 | 13 | 8 | 2 | 44 | 21 | 23 | 47 |
| 3 | Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest | 23 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 33 | 27 | 6 | 44 |
| 4 | Manchester CityMan City | 23 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 47 | 30 | 17 | 41 |
| 5 | Newcastle UnitedNewcastle | 23 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 41 | 27 | 14 | 41 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 23 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 45 | 30 | 15 | 40 |
| 7 | Bournemouth | 23 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 41 | 26 | 15 | 40 |
| 8 | Aston Villa | 23 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 34 | 35 | -1 | 37 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton | 23 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 35 | 31 | 4 | 34 |
| 10 | Fulham | 23 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 34 | 31 | 3 | 33 |
| 11 | Brentford | 23 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 42 | 40 | 2 | 31 |
| 12 | Manchester UnitedMan Utd | 23 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 28 | 32 | -4 | 29 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 23 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 26 | 30 | -4 | 27 |
| 14 | West Ham UnitedWest Ham | 23 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 28 | 44 | -16 | 27 |
| 15 | Tottenham HotspurSpurs | 23 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 46 | 37 | 9 | 24 |
| 16 | Everton | 22 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 19 | 28 | -9 | 23 |
| 17 | Leicester CityLeicester | 23 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 25 | 49 | -24 | 17 |
| 18 | Wolverhampton WanderersWolves | 23 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 32 | 52 | -20 | 16 |
| 19 | Ipswich TownIpswich | 23 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 21 | 47 | -26 | 16 |
| 20 | Southampton | 23 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 16 | 53 | -37 | 6 |
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