Ferdinand missed last week's home draw with a groin injury suffered on international duty. But the England star did make the flight to Portugal and will partner Nemanja Vidic in central defence if fit.
Brazilian full-back Rafael da Silva also made the journey, along with fellow countryman Anderson, giving Ferguson all the options he wanted as United try to become the first English team to beat Porto on their own ground.
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I suspect Rio could have made the Sunderland game if needed but Fergie judged that we could get the three points without him so it's likely that he'll be fit tomorrow. Good to see Rafael coming back too, although with no game time under his belt it must be extremely unlikely that he will start. We should have a fresher side than has been possible in recent weeks and I must say I've become slightly more optimistic about our chances as each of the last seven days has passed.
I checked the squad on a couple of other websites including the BBC and it appears Fletcher did not travel. I hope they just made a mistake in editing!
MANCHESTER UNITED
Playing in their 10th Champions League quarter-final, a record for the competition.
Played more matches in all competitions this season, than any of the other seven quarter-finalists. Their 54 games is 11 more than that of Porto.
Playing their 150th match in the competition.
Unbeaten in 22 Champions League matches. This is a record for all European competitions (excluding the Super League), eclipsing Juventus' record (20) which was set in 1972.
Unbeaten away from home in the competition for nearly two years since a 3-0 defeat by AC Milan. The 10-match unbeaten streak is the second longest in Champions League history, bettered only by Ajax's 14 match unbeaten streak away from home between 1994 and 1997.
Recorded goalless draws in both of their last two CL away matches and have not won in their last three away games in the competition.
Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Anderson played three matches for Porto in the 2006-07 Champions League
Good to have Rio back, and hopefully Rafael, they do need them. But I do think we have missed Wes Brown this season, he is not the most flambouyant full back we have ever had, but he does get on with job, and he would have made a difference when Rio and Vidic have been out, as good as Jonny Evans is I just think that Wes has more of a calming influence on the whole team , anyway looking for a 2-nil win or a 3-3 draw.
Good luck boys !!!!!!!!
FULL squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak; Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael, Fabio, O'Shea, J. Evans; Ronaldo, Anderson, Scholes, Gibson, Carrick, Park, Nani, Giggs; Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Macheda.
Wonder if Ian Dowie went with Rio, someone to chat to in the stands.
Yep, seems like there's no Fletch. That will be a bigger blow than a lot of people will anticipate... :-(
Ok folks Ive waited for United to gel this season and really put someone to the sword. It hasn't happened and yet at some point the tide will turn. Utd need to score first. If they do expect a night of football to remember.