Rafael will returns to the Manchester United squad on Saturday as Sir Alex Ferguson's men look to collect the first three of the 10 points they require to be crowned Premier League champions.
The Brazilian is in contention to face Everton at Old Trafford after injuring his hamstring in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final defeat of Chelsea. It is good news for United given they tackle Schalke in the semi-final next week, knowing Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher might be back from a virus for the decisive second leg on May 4.
"Darren is back training now," said Ferguson "He has done a good week and might be available in 10 days' time. Rafael is back in the squad and we will see what Dimitar Berbatov is like because he has a slight groin strain."
Everton have not won a league game at Old Trafford since 1992, during which time they have only managed a couple of draws. However, after a difficult start to the season, David Moyes' side are top of the form table and even retain an outside chance of landing a Europa League spot.
"Everton have done exceptionally well," said Ferguson, whose side blew a two-goal lead in stoppage time at Goodison Park in September when the Toffees grabbed a 3-3 draw.
"David Moyes has had to cope with a mountain of injuries over the last few weeks but they have still churned out the results.
"It is never going to be easy against Everton. It is a local derby of sorts. But our home record is fantastic and so is our performance level."
Although United dropped two more points on the road at Newcastle on Tuesday, immediately after the disappointment of losing their high-profile FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City, the Red Devils have failed to win just once on home soil this season, when they let a two-goal lead slip against West Brom in October.
With the only two sides who could deny them a record 19th league title still to play - Arsenal at the Emirates on May 1 and Chelsea at Old Trafford seven days later - it could be argued Saturday's result is of little importance, although this is not a view Ferguson shares.
"If we win, we will only have four games left and we will have a six point lead," he said. "That is the way I am looking at it. I am not looking beyond that."
Source: PA
