MANCHESTER UNITED v Manchester City: Ferdinand and Vidic could link up in defence

Sir Alex Ferguson has recalled Rio Ferdinand to his squad for Sunday's Manchester derby.

Ferdinand was excused the Champions League trip to Romania in midweek, but is available and could partner skipper Nemanja Vidic for the first time since the opening day of the season.

Back for the derby: Ferdinand was rested mid-week 

Rafael (shoulder) is still sidelined, but Tom Cleverley (foot) is due to return to training on Monday.

Provisional squad: De Gea, Lindegaard, Amos, Smalling, Fabio, Evans, Ferdinand, Vidic, Jones, Evra, Valencia, Nani, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Park, Young, Berbatov, Diouf, Hernandez, Owen, Rooney, Welbeck.