Manchester United will be without Rio Ferdinand (calf) and Jonny Evans (ankle), so Chris Smalling will partner Nemanja Vidic in the centre of defence.
Javier Hernandez is unlikely to be involved as his transatlantic flight after international duty only landed on Friday.
Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli is battling to recover from the knee injury that has kept him out this year.
Nigel de Jong is rated as 50-50 as he struggles to overcome an ankle injury.
