Ferguson told Sky Sports News: “We all know European games do take it out of you and, with the 12.45 kick-off, we will certainly have to consider that.
“There are some players who are available for that, in that respect – Rio Ferdinand, obviously, Louis Saha, Alan Smith, Patrice Evra, of course, is available after he was suspended on Wednesday.
“We are just assessing what the players are like today. It’s difficult to assess how players are after a European defeat, and also playing on Wednesday then a lunchtime kick-off.
“The fact it’s a derby game, it’s difficult to assess what the right thing to do is as they all want to play in a derby game, so I will have to make good decisions on that.
“At least for the first time in a few weeks there are some options to freshen it up if I want to.”
