Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson granted permission to Rio Ferdinand to feature in last night's testimonial for West Ham United academy director Tony Carr.

The England captain made his return from three weeks on the sidelines as a late substitute in last weekend's victory over Sunderland.

And Ferguson gave Ferdinand permission to continue his comeback tonight by honouring the man who gave him his introduction to professional football.

Ferdinand partnered his brother Anton Ferdinand in the centre of defence for the West Ham Academy All-Stars and was untroubled in a game that never rose above pedestrian pace.

"Rio rang me this morning at a quarter to nine to say he was heading to the train station to come down and that he could play 20 minutes," said Carr.