Ferdinand boards plane to Portugal

Published: 14 Apr 2009 - 10:00:00

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Manchester United should field their strongest defence against Porto after Rio Ferdinand made the plane for the crucial Champions League tie.Ferdinand missed last week's home draw with a groin injury suffered on international duty but the England star was on 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.United (from): 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.