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Sir Alex Ferguson admits Manchester City defeat changed his plans

By Liam Power, Reporter | 10 February 2013

Fergie admits City defeat changed team selection

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits that he changed his plans to rotate the team to face Everton this afternoon after watching Manchester City lose at Southampton.

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he changed Manchester United's starting XI for this afternoon's match against Everton to take full advantage of Manchester City's defeat at Southampton yesterday.

United moved 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League today by beating the Toffees 2-0, courtesy of goals from Ryan Giggs and Robin van Persie.

Manager Ferguson revealed that he planned to make seven changes to his team to face Everton ahead of Wednesday's match against Real Madrid but changed his mind after City were humbled 3-1 at St Mary's.

He told reporters: "We've got to win our games regardless of what happens with City and if we concentrate on our own games we'll be okay.

"I was going to make about seven changes to the game but when I saw yesterday's result I changed that because we knew if we got a result it would put us in a fantastic position."

United's impressive lead at the top of the table has resulted in bookmaker Paddy Power paying out on the title returning to Old Trafford this season with 12 games still to play.