Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he expects Rio Ferdinand to start Manchester United's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Porto. Ferdinand has missed United's last three games after picking up a groin injury at the end of England's World Cup qualifying win over the Ukraine at Wembley on 1 April. But the 30-year-old has been in full training since Friday and travelled with the United squad on their flight to Portugal.

Ferguson believes the former West Ham defender should be fit to take his place in a United team who are looking to become the first English team to beat Porto on their own ground after last week's 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

"We think Rio is fit," said Ferguson. "He trained on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and he will start tomorrow."

United have not kept a clean sheet in five games but the return of Ferdinand alongside Nemanja Vidic should bring some much-needed stability to their back four. "There is a lot of quality in Rio's game, so he is obviously going to make a difference," said Ferguson. "Also it gets us back the partnership between Rio and Nemanja Vidic, which has been the cornerstone of our great defensive performances this season. That is the difference he will make."