Rio back for United

England defender Rio Ferdinand returned to the Manchester United team for the crucial derby match at Eastlands.

Ferdinand missed the Champions League defeat by AC Milan in midweek because of a groin injury.

He was one of two changes to that side with Alan Smith also back in the team. John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher stood down.

United went into the match knowing they could clinch the title this weekend if they beat City and Chelsea fail to defeat Arsenal tomorrow.

With Joey Barton serving a club suspension for an alleged attack on Ousmane Dabo, Michael Johnson returned to the side while DaMarcus Beasley replaced Georgios Samaras.

Man City: Isaksson, Onuoha, Dunne, Distin, Ball, Hamann, Vassell, Johnson, Ireland, Beasley, Mpenza. Subs: Weaver, Dickov, Jihai, Samaras, Sinclair.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Smith, Rooney. Subs: Kuszczak, Solskjaer, O’Shea, Richardson, Fletcher.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)