Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was delighted to end their Liverpool hoodoo yesterday.

Liverpool had won their previous three meetings, but lost 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand told MUTV: "We've given our fans the bragging rights as they go back to work this week. It's always nice to get a result against Liverpool, especially after the last few games against them."

The win wasn't exactly routine, though. Fernando Torres headed the visitors in front after just five minutes. And even after Wayne Rooney and Ji-sung Park had put Sir Alex's men 2-1 up, the Spanish striker fluffed a late chance to salvage a point from the match.

"We've been defending very well of late so to concede a goal after five minutes in such a big game was disappointing, " Rio admitted. "But after the first goal I thought we got to grips with Liverpool and stopped the supply to Torres.

"The way we came back, picked ourselves up and took the game to Liverpool, speaks volumes of the talent we have in our squad."