Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand can recognise danger for club and country, a top-class defender who can sweep up alongside England captain John Terry or Nemanja Vidic at United.

"I think they feel lucky to have me alongside them . . ." was his quick-witted response when he was asked whether he felt privileged to be in such respected company for club and country, but Ferdinand knows that both players bring the best out in him.

"Terry and Vidic are similar in a lot of ways because they are wholehearted players who attack the ball well in both boxes,' Ferdinand said. 'They seem to complement the way I play and it's great to have people who gel. You smell each other's game, he knows where I'm going to go and I know where he's going to go.

"I seem to have done that with quite a few of the partners I've played with - at West Ham, Leeds and England."