Fergie focused on Villarreal only

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is banishing thoughts of the derby to the back of his mind until they finish with Villarreal in the Champions League.

Ferguson's side face the Spanish side on Tuesday night before taking on Manchester City on Sunday. But the Scottish boss has indicated he will field a strong side in the Group E encounter at El Madrigal in a bid to clinch top spot.

"The derby doesn't come into it at this moment simply because I have got five days and I need to play a team to win. I want to win the group and winning does that," he said.

"It was different from the last time when we played Celtic in Glasgow because we had a lunchtime game against Arsenal so my thinking was completely different. Wednesday to Saturday lunchtime is different from Tuesday to Sunday lunchtime."

Cristiano Ronaldo has pleaded to play against Villarreal - but Ferguson has his doubts about that.

The Portugal winger trained on Monday after coming off in the second half of the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday with a leg injury.

Ferguson said: "Cristiano got a lot of whacks on Saturday. He got a few cuts but nothing serious. He wants to play and that is a problem. I would rather leave him out. When players show that enthusiasm to play you don't deter them you encourage it."