Carlos Tevez has shrugged off the effects of a knee injury to take his place in Manchester City’s starting line-up to face his former club Manchester United at Old Trafford in the most eagerly anticipated derby-day showdown for years.
Tevez had been a major doubt after suffering the problem on international duty with Argentina earlier this month.
But, with four-goal Emmanuel Adebayor suspended and record signing Robinho out with an ankle problem, Tevez’s presence was a boost for the high-flying Blues, who were looking to extend their 100 per cent start to the season.
Tevez scored for United against City last season, then raced to the dug-out, ears cupped and demanding the Red Devils board listen to chants demanding they “Sign him up”.
Instead, Tevez snubbed their approach and joined City instead, further fuelling flames already ignited by the Eastlands outfit’s summer spending spree.
United had some good news of their own with Rio Ferdinand back after missing the midweek Champions League victory over Besiktas.
Manchester United:Foster, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park, Anderson, Fletcher, Giggs, Berbatov, Rooney. Subs:Kuszczak, Neville, Owen, Carrick, Nani, Evans, Valencia.
Manchester City:Given, Richards, Lescott, Toure, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Barry, De Jong, Ireland, Bellamy, Tevez. Subs: Taylor, Zabaleta, Garrido, Petrov, Weiss, Ball, Sylvinho.
Referee:Martin Atkinson
