Sir Alex Ferguson is unconcerned whether Carlos Tevez recovers from a knee injury in time to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. He is more pleased that the player he identifies as City's biggest threat, Emmanuel Adebayor, is suspended.

While Tevez's move from United to City created controversy, Adebayor has scored four goals in as many league matches. His ban for last weekend's stamp on Robin van Persie means he will be consigned to the sidelines.

"I am not bothered whether Tevez plays or not – Manchester City's best player won't be playing," said Ferguson. "Adebayor is their star player, there is no question about that. He has scored in every game so far."

Ferguson repeated his assertion that City behaved in an "arrogant and cocky" manner when they displayed their infamous Tevez "Welcome to Manchester" poster in the city's main shopping area last summer.

The Scot is aware the derby has far more interest and significance now City are pushing for a place in the top four, having spent in excess of £120m this summer. However, he will continue to view Liverpool as United's major local rivals.

"To me, Liverpool has always been the derby," he said. "It is because of the history. My aim was always to do well against them. It is hard for me to think any other way."

Ferguson has admitted he is concerned by Rio Ferdinand's nagging groin injury. The defender's early-season appearances have been limited because of a thigh injury he picked with England last month, while his injury problems date back to last December, when he suffered back spasms during the Club World Cup that kept him out for six weeks.

He has missed four games this season and despite a return against Tottenham Hotspur, he was forced to sit out the mid-week Champions League match and could miss the derby.

"It is a concern for us and something we could have done without," said Ferguson. "He has one game back and picks up another injury when he really needs some games to get back to his maximum.

"We don't need to make a decision right away but he really has to do something positive in training to give himself a chance. We hope he is there, though. We want all our big players for this particular game."