Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed England defender Rio Ferdinand will play against Inter Milan at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand had been a doubt for Manchester United's Champions League encounter with Jose Mourinho's men after picking up an ankle injury at Fulham on Saturday.

However, the England defender returned to training on Tuesday morning and Ferguson does not expect a reaction, with John O'Shea also in line for a starting berth after shrugging off a heel problem.

"They are both fit and they will both play," said the United manager.

"They both trained for the first time on Tuesday morning and that was important for us."

Ferdinand should partner Nemanja Vidic in central defence, with O'Shea filling the right-back slot.

Although long-term casualties Gary Neville and Wes Brown remain absent, along with Rafael da Silva, the remainder of Ferguson's squad are available for selection.

The holders are favourites to go through, although Ferguson must end a disappointing sequence of results against Mourinho, having won only once in 13 encounters with the former Chelsea and Porto manager.

Meanwhile, Ferguson is paying no attention to his poor head-to-head record against Mourinho.

In 13 attempts, the Red Devils chief has managed to win only once - a Darren Fletcher header defeating Chelsea in November 2005.

It is a run that includes a two-legged loss to FC Porto at exactly the same stage of the competition five years ago, when Mourinho famously charged down the touchline in celebration, and one that some feel will allow the Inter chief to emerge triumphant again.

"It is strange just to have one win against Mourinho," admitted Ferguson.

"It proves I am not infallible. I am vulnerable, just like anyone else in football.

"But the personal record does not bother me one bit. It can happen.

"I look at this football club and I have every right to be proud of it and what it has achieved in the time I have been here. That is more important to me."

And, while Ferguson's amazing career has experienced its fair share of disappointing nights, he only has to trawl back 11 months of the 26 years he has been in charge for the result that gives him hope.

In last season's semi-final, United emerged from the away leg against Barcelona with exactly the same goalless scoreline.

A first-half Paul Scholes goal at Old Trafford proved enough to settle a tense decider, sending the Red Devils on their way to ultimate glory in Moscow.

"You can never be over confident in this position simply because an away goal can be a severe setback," he said.

"That was the situation when we played Barcelona. What we required that night was magnificent concentration and really good focus in our game. We manage to get through because of both those two factors.

"When you play an Italian side, you have got to be at your best.

"Their record over the years has been fantastic.

"AC Milan have won the European Cup seven times, all in the modern era, which I believe makes them the most successful side because Real Madrid won their first five when European football was just beginning.

"Inter Milan have every right to go into the match thinking they can win.

"They are seven points clear at the top of their league and have a lot of experience. We expect a tough game but they should expect one as well."

Ferguson has a fairly unique build-up as his horse - What a Friend - could land a major prize at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday afternoon.

His part-owner will be glued to his TV, stating there was "never a chance" he would have attempted to make a whistle-stop trip to Gloucestershire.

Ferguson describes his interest as "a bit of fun", although the relaxation side of it may not be in evidence should What a Friend jump the last in contention.

But it could certainly form part of a pretty special win double for United's manager, who weaved a neat path around questions about Mourinho's belief he could be the Scot's Old Trafford successor one day.

"Jose summed it up himself the other day, he is not involved in it - and I am not going to get involved in it either," said Ferguson.

Instead, the United boss will get a decent bottle of red wine out of his personal cellar with which to savour what he hopes to be a day to remember, if not a Mourinho-style touchline charge.

"Look at the ages," he smiled. "There is a difference."