Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic was happy to have Rio Ferdinand alongside him for victory over Sunderland. Afterwards Vidic jumped to the defence of Ferdinand, 33 today, amid claims his best days are behind him.

Vidic said: "Sometimes when you have been at the top a long time like Rio has, people judge you on your age and are waiting for one bad game to say he is finished.

"What he did today is the perfect way to show he is not finished.

"He showed everyone that he still has the quality and ability to play at the top level."