Van der Sar: Equal to the few efforts that threatened him setting a new English record of clean sheets 6

Neville: The double pronged attack of Baines and Pienaar caused him so many problems and never looked himself 4

Ferdinand: Tested more than at West Brom and never looked in serious trouble 7

Vidic: The Serbian rock launched himself into any danger that Everton conjured up 8

O’Shea: Uncomplicated and steady effort kept the Reds defence intact yet again 6

Ronaldo: First half he had a number of crowd pleasing moments but faded in the second 7

Fletcher: Recent inactivity seemed to have affected his impact. Never fully got to grips in midfield 5

Carrick: Penetrating drives, nicked tackles, blocked shots, won a penalty and should have won two - brilliant 9

Park: Energy levels high as usual but apart from one shot not a lot came from his effort 6

Tevez: The all action hero was at it again. When Rooney is back for West Ham he’d be unlucky not to start against his old club 8

Berbatov: Not much came off for the Bulgarian. Ran into a few brick walls 5

Subs:

Brown (sub Neville 56) Full blooded effort 6

Giggs (sub Fletcher 74) Calming influence 6

Not used: Fabio, Welbeck, Gibson, Eckersley, Kuszczak

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Lescott, Jagielka, Arteta, Cahill, Neville, Pienaar, Osman, Fellaini (Anichebe 68)

Goals:

United: Ronaldo 44 pen)

Everton: None

Bookings:

United: None

Everton: None

Battle of the Bosses:

David Moyes' disciplined outfit tested the Reds but Fergie kept faith with his usual blueprint

Referee: Mark Halsey - Spotted one penalty and missed one 5

Attendance:75,399

ALEX FERGUSON has revealed how he dreads picking his team.

The Manchester United boss says the whole squad is playing so well at the moment it is proving a nightmare choosing 11 and telling some of his stars they are left out.

Mind you, he admits the problem is great news for the champions.

Ferguson said: “Everyone has done so well that I’m beginning to dread picking the team.

“I feel guilty when I am forced to leave someone out who has not only done nothing wrong but who has played exceptionally well.

“It puts the club in a strong position, of course, but it doesn’t make the manager’s job very easy.”

Fergie has a big seven days ahead of him, in which he has to pick three teams.

Tonight, they take on Fulham, then it is Blackburn at home on Saturday followed by a Champions League crunch in the San Siro against Inter Milan next Tuesday.

He will want to field his strongest team against the Italian champions but right now he admits to not knowing what that is.

Fergie said: “People sometimes ask me what I consider to be my best side and the short answer is that I don’t have one.

“I can give you my best 14 or 15 but, better than that, all I can say is that it’s a squad game and we have a damn fine squad. In fact the best!”

They need it as well, as they take on the job of winning an unprecedented five trophies this season.

The Club World Cup is in the bag and they have a date at Wembley against Tottenham in the Carling Cup final on March 1.

Victory over Derby on Sunday booked them a trip to Swansea or Fulham in the FA Cup last eight.

And, tonight, they can go five points clear of nearest Premier League rivals Liverpool in their long-awaited game in hand.

United have been playing catch-up due to their European Super Cup and Club World Cup exploits.

Ferguson said: “Once we have played Fulham, we’ll know exactly what position we are in.”

United have not conceded in 13 league games, allowing them to win games by just scoring a single goal.

Nine of their 17 league victories this season have been 1-0, an indication that the division is now tougher.

He said: “There were signs last season that the league was firming up. Games have become more difficult than they have in the past.

“It’s very unforgiving. Make a mistake at this level and it’s odds-on you will be punished.”

Fergie must decide whether Wayne Rooney faces Fulham after seven games out with hamstring trouble.

The Scot said: “Wayne has not had a hamstring injury before and there is no way we will be bringing him back before we’re certain he’s ready.

“We must make sure enough work has been done on the hamstring so that it doesn’t break down again.”