Rio Ferdinand relishing FA Cup derby

Rio Ferdinand has expressed his excitement at Manchester United's third-round FA Cup tie with Manchester City.

The local rivals were drawn together yesterday in a repeat of last year's semi-final.

"Third round FA Cup game vs. Man City," Ferdinand wrote on Twitter yesterday. "Great game to kick off this year's FA Cup, can't wait."

City won last year's cup tie and eventually went on to beat Stoke in the final to take the trophy.

United are still reeling from City's 6-1 victory at Old Trafford in the Premier League in October.