MANCHESTER - MANCHESTER United striker Dimitar Berbatov could return for Sunday's derby match at Manchester City.

A hamstring injury kept the Bulgaria striker out of last weekend's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa and Tuesday's same stalemate at Villarreal in the Champions League.

Berbatov was set to resume training on Thursday, two weeks after sustaining the injury on international duty.

'With a hamstring you've got to be careful, it's never an easy one,' manager Alex Ferguson said. 'He's not had a hamstring before. I've got to judge whether it's wise to use him on Sunday or use him on the bench.'

Midfielder Paul Scholes, who suffered medial ligament damage in September, could make an early return Dec 6 to face Sunderland, Ferguson said. -- AP