Fergie set to shuffle pack

Published: 19 Apr 2009 - 12:19:26

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Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to ring the changes when Manchester United tackle Everton on Sunday. The Red Devils go head-to-head with the Toffees this weekend for the right to face Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Ferguson's side remain on course to complete a remarkable quintuple this season, with FA Cup, Premier League and UEFA Champions League glory hoping to be added to Carling Cup and World Club Cup triumphs. United know competing on so many fronts will push their squad to the limit, though, and with that in mind are expected to make sweeping alterations to the side which disposed of Porto in the quarter-finals of the Champions League when they run out at Wembley. "When I pick my team, no matter what it is there will be critics voicing a concern about me not playing my strongest team," said Ferguson. "Not everyone agrees with changes. There are some supporters who want me to play my best team every game. "That is impossible. If you look at Wednesday's game you are off your head to think I could play the same team again." Intensity He added: "I am in a difficult position because we have got so many hard games coming up. "Somewhere along the line I have to make changes. "The speed of the game has changed. "Look at how fast the Premier Division is. The intensity of the matches is the reason English teams have a head start in Europe." While doing his best to curb expectations, Ferguson did admit that FA Cup glory features prominently on his wish list this season. "Hand on heart, the FA Cup is important," he said. "We don't want to have a defeat at this time of year. No matter what the defeat is, we have to answer for that."