Red View: Derby team news, City assessed, free Giggs goals video + more

RIO IS REDS' ONLY DOUBT Even if City are without several big-name strikers, United will still want to field a first-choice defence in Sunday's hotly-anticipated Manchester derby. Whether Sir Alex Ferguson has that luxury rests on a training session at Carrington today (Friday) in which Rio Ferdinand needs to prove his fitness. The central defensive stalwart made his first league appearance of the season only last weekend, when the Reds impressively won 3-1 at Tottenham Hotspur. But Rio then reported a groin problem in training the next day and consequently wasn't risked in Tuesday night's Champions League victory over Besiktas. "The only concern I've got is Rio," said Sir Alex in his pre-match press conference. "He missed the game on Tuesday and he was out before the Spurs match. Only one game back after injury is a concern - he needs a run of games to be at his maximum. He did some running on Monday but he wasn't right. "He has to do some positive work in training if he's going to make the game on Sunday. We hope he's there because you want all your big players available." If Ferdinand fails the fitness test then Jonny Evans will deputise once again. More news: Sir Alex expects feisty match | Park signs new contract GUEST BLOG: DAVID MAY Ex-defender David May (above right) has a keen interest in the derby, not only as a fervent Red but also as an old team-mate of Blues boss Mark Hughes (above left)... Sparky was one of the quietest people in our dressing room so although he was a fantastic player, with a great desire to win, I’d never have thought he’d go on to achieve what he has in management. He did a great job with Wales and Blackburn and now he’s at a club that will hopefully match his ambition. He's certainly got the right financial backing. The money that’s come into Eastlands has spiced up the rivalry, and there’s maybe even a bit of jealousy from our fans because of City’s spending power, they’ve got a bottomless pit. However I still think United will be the dominant team for the foreseeable future. City spent well during the summer but you can’t go out and buy the title in your first season. The main thing is to create a foundation - Sparky’s done that and over the next three or four years he can build on it. I think it would have been a big mistake if they’d bought Kaka because the players around him probably wouldn’t have been able to do what he demanded of them. I think Sparky’s bought sensibly in terms of who he’s brought in, I’d say he’s going in the right direction. I think only two teams can win the Premier League this year, United and Chelsea. But City have got a great chance of breaking into the top four if they can sustain how they’ve started. I hope Sparky and City do well, just not as well as United! YOUR DERBY TEAMS AND TACTICS ManUtd.com's message board has been buzzing in the build-up to Sunday's big match, with United fans from far and wide posting their preferred line-ups and formations. Midfield seems to be the hot topic in the team debate... Canto is God Sunday's match is what footy is all about, don't you just love it? It’s the first really meaningful derby for a very long time, I think it’s crucial to our season. Win it and we are up and running, having beaten Arsenal, Spurs and the Blues on the bounce. Lose it and we will be playing catch-up to a City side that’s more than useful. They have found a way of playing that is extremely effective - De Jong's been a revelation in midfield. However their key strikers are missing, and I fancy us to beat them. Bring it on! Hezz The question in midfield is who should partner Fletcher? Given that City will most definitely put three (Barry, De Jong and Ireland) in the middle, we need Anderson's lung-busting running. He's strong and can battle with De Jong while Fletcher will need to keep Ireland in check. That leaves Barry - I think Giggs will be tasked to track his runs. Up front, Rooney and Berbatov should continue, with Wayne playing on the shoulder of Toure and Lescott and Berba in the hole to link up the midfield. Hannibal-Lecter I think Anderson should play alongside Fletcher, and Giggs just behind Rooney up front, but mainly there to keep the centre of midfield congested and get our close passing game going. Fletcher will be vital, we'll need him to break up play, stop Ireland dictating play and possibly even give Tevez a rough ride. Evra will also need to be at his best with Shaun Wright-Phillips in good form right now. I think it will be a close game. There's not much between us and City these days - we have the more solid defence, more experience and Rooney. But they in turn now have a very good defence, but perhaps a better, more creative, more balanced midfield. More: Join the debate at manutd.com/talkingreds