Manchester United hero Gary Pallister admits he's a big fan of the team's current defence.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes the Rio Ferdinand-Nemanja Vidic combination at the heart of United's defence is the best since Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister in the early 1980s.

Pallister is certainly full of praise for the pair. He said: "The two of them look more and more confident with each game.

"They can only get better as a partnership. Vidic defends like his life depends on it.

"Rio has got that quality and class not only to defend but bring the ball out and start attacks."