Rio returns for United

Rio Ferdinand will return to Manchester United’s starting line-up against Aston Villa tomorrow after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The England defender missed the last three games after picking up a knock against Tottenham but will be part of a full-strength United defence looking to add to a club record eight consecutive clean sheets.

Gary Neville could replace brother Phil at right-back after recovering from a virus but Alan Smith (ankle) definitely misses out.

Provisional squad: Carroll, Howard, G Neville, P Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Brown, O’Shea, Heinze, Fortune, Ronaldo, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, Miller, Djemba-Djemba, Saha, Rooney.