Rio set for Reds return

Rio Ferdinand stands by to return to the Manchester United line-up for the first time in eight months in Monday night’s Premiership encounter with Liverpool.

Ferdinand has not pulled on a United shirt since he limped out of the 1-0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux on January 17.

But, despite his obvious lack of match practice, he seems certain to be included by Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson as he looks to strengthen a defence that looked so uneasy in Lyon on Wednesday.

Roy Carroll, Phil Neville and Alan Smith all have recall claims but Louis Saha is not likely to be considered after his knee injury kept him out of training this week.

Squad: Howard, Carroll, P Neville, Heinze, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Keane, Spector, Bardsley, Eagles, Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy, Djemba-Djemba, Miller, Kleberson, Bellion, Richardson, Fletcher, Giggs, Scholes, Smith,