Manchester City v Manchester United (Preview)

Ireland back in City squad

Stephen Ireland will return to the Manchester City bench for the Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester United at Eastlands.

Ireland has missed three games after picking up a hamstring injury at Wolves, but Roberto Mancini will have the midfielder amongst his substitutes as City look to establish a first-leg lead.

Roque Santa Cruz will miss his club's bid to reach a first domestic final since 1981 after suffering a recurrence of his calf injury at Everton, while Patrick Vieira (calf) will not be considered for his debut.

Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini has claimed Manchester City could one day knock United off their pedestal as England's biggest club.

Mancini will experience his first local derby at Eastlands tomorrow knowing victory in the two-legged semi-final would secure City a place in a major domestic showpiece for the first time since 1981.

Given the amounts of cash owner Sheikh Mansour has already invested, with the promise of much more to come, it seems only a matter of time before a 34-year trophy drought comes to an end as well.

And, given United's much-publicised financial restraints, there are some who feel it is also only a matter of time before the Red Devils are usurped as top dogs.

It may seem improbable given United have joined Liverpool on 18 titles by winning 11 since the Premier League was formed in 1992, but Mancini does not believe it is beyond the realms of possibility.

"If we work well, it is possible,'' said the Italian.

"United have a big history. They have been a good team for many years.

"City can become a big team in the next year. It is most important that we get into the top four.

"That would change the situations. Surely it would be better if City were also a big club in the future because then Manchester could have two clubs in the Champions League.''

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he got it wrong in expressing fears Dimitar Berbatov was struggling with his knee injury again.

Berbatov scored the opening goal in Manchester United's 3-0 win over Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday but was substituted before the end and headed straight down the tunnel for treatment.

Immediately after the game Ferguson claimed his £30.75million record signing had suffered a recurrence of a knee injury which he has been advised to have an exploratory operation on.

In fact, the former Tottenham star had only suffered a dead leg and while he is a doubt for Tuesday's game, he has not completely been ruled out.

"I thought Dimitar had got a knock on the knee. It turned out it was a dead leg and we are having a look at that it.

"I am hoping he will be all right but he is a doubt and we will see what he is like in the morning.''

Ferguson also confirmed Ryan Giggs would not be considered, and neither will Rio Ferdinand, even though the England star is continuing to edge closer to a comeback after three months out with a back injury.

"Rio is training quite well now,'' he said. "He is a lot closer now but he is not in contention for Tuesday.''

However, the United boss is considering whether to add a bit of youth to his team in the form of Darron Gibson and the Da Silva twins Rafael and Fabio.

Having already absolved the younger members of his side from blame for the shock home FA Cup defeat by Leeds, Ferguson would have no qualms about putting them into such a high pressure encounter.

But it does seem the United boss intends to select a far stronger team than the one he originally intended when the draw was made last month.

"I have got to think about getting a mix in terms of the programme we have got and also the fact I have given young players a game in the past,'' he said.

"I will have a strongish team but there will be some young players as well.''