Ferdinand has endured yet another campaign scarred by injury.

The 32-year-old had been sidelined by a calf problem sustained in the warm-up prior to Manchester United's defeat at Wolves on February 5.

At one point, his recovery prospects seemed so bleak Ferguson hinted Ferdinand might not be back for the rest of the season.

But that Sunday at Carrington, the deposed England skipper was delivering a message. It was exactly what Ferguson wanted to hear.

"You only drive half a mile from our training ground to the complex where the youth-team games are played for one reason," said Ferguson.

"I said to the guy next to me 'he wants to play'. I was pleased because I was praying he would be fit."

Ferguson means no slight on Chris Smalling.

The former Fulham youngster has far exceeded the expectations United had for him when he joined the club last summer.

During Ferdinand's most recent absence, the England Under-21 star has been virtually foot perfect.

But Ferguson knew how crucial Ferdinand's experience could be at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday - and he was not disappointed.

"That was probably one of his best performances in a United jersey," said Ferguson. "It was magnificent.

"At his age [21], we don't expect Chris Smalling to be directing and shouting at players. Rio does that really well.

"He has composure on the ball. He didn't panic. He handled everything.

"I knew it would happen because all the incentives were there - adrenalin, coming back into the team, the importance of the occasion... It was ideal for Rio."

Ferdinand has a different take on the Sunday meeting.

And when Ferguson brought it up today the former West Ham defender used it as a lever to fulfil a promise he made on his Twitter page to introduce the phrase 'Stay on your feet' into the press conference.

However, he was being deadly serious when he pointed out that he always intended to make sure his manager was in no doubt over his willingness to play.

"I did actually go over there to watch the youth game," he said.

"But when I saw the manager's grey puffa jacket I did make a bit of a beeline to him and speak to him.

"I just wanted to make sure there were no grey areas and that he knew I was definitely all right."

Ferdinand has never been short of confidence in his own ability.

He does seem able to cruise through matches when others are at full pelt, even after a long lay-off.

And, coming back now, along with Antonio Valencia and Anderson, Ferguson feels it is better than having three new signings because the trio actually know the club rather than merely being fresh faces.

Ferdinand agrees with the assessment.

And he is also maintaining the United mantra of focusing on a single competition, rather than using the opportunity of emulating the treble heroes of 1999, as his driving force.

"The treble is not a motivation," he said.

"Our motivation is each competition. If that amounts to winning the double, a single trophy each year or the treble sobeit.

"I don't think the players who won the treble were saying 'this is it, we want to win the treble'.

"It is about making sure this club wins a trophy every year. If you win one and you see another one, you want to try to win that."