Berbatov boost for United

Manchester City v Manchester Utd:DIMITAR BERBATOV could make an unexpected appearance in tonight's League Cup semi-final at Manchester City after Alex Ferguson revealed the striker was substituted on Saturday with a dead leg and not a knee injury.

Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, indicated after the victory over Burnley at the weekend that Berbatov had suffered a recurrence of a knee problem, which the striker wants to nurse through the remainder of the season rather than undergo an operation.

“I thought Dimitar had got a knock on the knee. It turned out it was a dead leg and we are having a look at that it,” said the manager, who will not use Ryan Giggs or Rio Ferdinand tonight. “I am hoping he will be all right but he is a doubt and we will see what he is like in the morning.”

United’s captain Gary Neville, has rejected suggestions Manchester is witnessing a shift in the balance of power and said United have “nothing to prove” as they collide with a resurgent City.

City’s lavish spending in the transfer market over the last 12 months, and ability to convert a €346 million debt into private share equity, contrasts markedly with United’s attempts to manage their own debt.

Relations between the clubs have been strained as the ramifications of Sheikh Mansour’s takeover threaten the established order in the top flight, with Ferguson dismissing City as “a small club with a small mentality” and, subsequently, mere “noisy neighbours” after the Premier League derby in September, won 4-3 by United deep into stoppage time.

Yet, with the champions nine points ahead of fifth-placed City in the league, Neville believes the power in the city remains firmly at Old Trafford. “I don’t see the game as an opportunity to reassert our dominance over City,” he said. “We’re quite comfortable with where we are.

“We are second in the league, we’re in the Carling Cup semi-final and we’re in the second phase of the Champions League, so we have nothing to prove. People might perceive that something is going on in Manchester between the two clubs but we can’t afford to get involved in that.”

United midfielder Darren Fletcher returns from suspension. The Scotland skipper will almost certainly replace Paul Scholes in central midfield, where he may be joined by Republic of Ireland international Darron Gibson.

Roque Santa Cruz will miss tonight’s game against United due to recurring calf trouble.

Santa Cruz limped out of Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat by Everton at Goodison Park after nine minutes on Saturday, and Robinho, who replaced the Paraguayan only to be taken off less than an hour later, could be involved at Eastlands tonight.

Carlos Tevez, who should start, is nursing a slight hamstring strain.

“I think Santa Cruz is out for one month maybe,” said Roberto Mancini who hopes to have Stephen Ireland on the bench. “It’s the calf, and it’s a big problem.”

Ireland has missed three games after picking up a hamstring injury at Wolves.

Patrick Vieira’s arrival has bolstered the City midfield but he is not ready to face United. “It’s better that we don’t risk Patrick,” Mancini said. “Because when he comes back in a week or 10 days I want him to play 20 games.”