Like most of the footballing fraternity, Ferguson was staggered at Robinho's move to City from Real Madrid.

Having been linked with Chelsea for most of the summer, City moved in with an 11th-hour deal after Real had insisted they would not sell to the Londoners.

Many felt the 24-year-old was only using City as a stepping stone to get to Stamford Bridge. However, those doubts have been erased by a series of sparkling performances that have brought him nine goals this season and earned hero status among the Blues faithful.

And, with his sublime chip over Manuel Almunia, Robinho ensured even Ferguson is a convert.

"You think £32million, is he worth it?" said Ferguson.

"When he scores goals like that you have to say yes.

"The audacity and composure were absolutely brilliant. Maybe he is not in the game a lot but he produces these moments that others cannot do."

Yet, for all Robinho's success, Ferguson is also aware City boss Mark Hughes will have had to devote plenty of attention to the Brazilian in an effort to ensure his transition to life in England has been as smooth as possible.

"It is always the same, whether a player costs £32million or £2million," said Ferguson.

"When they come from another country you have a job to do in terms of how they interact with other players, adapt to a different culture and learn the language.

"There are a lot of things you have to do with these players, not just from Brazil and Argentina but all countries.

"That is what I find is fantastic about today's game. I have 17 different nationalities at this club. It is a fantastic challenge to deal with the situation and make sure there is harmony in the place."

Harmony is something Ferguson rarely has a problem developing at Old Trafford. Even during Andy Cole's lengthy periods of silence with Teddy Sheringham, the pair remained totally committed as team-mates - a situation January's arrival of Serbian international Zoran Tosic is unlikely to affect.

United were today granted a work permit for the highly-rated Tosic; although it is another Eastern European, record signing Dimitar Berbatov, who will occupy Ferguson's mind as he assesses his selection options ahead of the derby-day confrontation.

The Red Devils chief must decide whether to risk the hamstring injury with which Bulgarian Berbatov returned from international duty from the start against City or keep the 27-year-old on the bench in case of emergency as United seek a win that would keep them in touch with pacesetters Chelsea and Liverpool.

For, as intrigued as Ferguson is by City's anticipated transformation, he remains, above anything else, a man driven by a desire to finish first.

"My challenge is to make sure we are at the top," he said.

"Would I prefer Liverpool or Manchester City to be above me? Neither. My job is to make sure it doesn't happen."

Nevertheless, Ferguson finds it easy to recall that he was given £2,000 to sign five players when he started out in the management game at East Stirling.

Plenty has happened since then, including two defeats by the Blues last season, allowing City to record their first domestic double over United for almost 40 years.

"Last year? Some managers are lucky," stated Ferguson, with a typical put-down of former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who spent last season at Eastlands before becoming Mexico coach.

While Ferguson's relationship with Eriksson could be viewed as frosty bordering on the outright hostile, on the surface, that with Mark Hughes, a former United stalwart, should be better.

But Hughes, a quiet presence on the field, has never shown an inclination to seek advice from the Scot as some of his other proteges, including former team-mates Roy Keane and Paul Ince, have done.

"When I see Mark we always have a glass of wine after the game and I don't expect anything to be different this time," said Ferguson.

"It is not as if you phone up all your old players to ask how they are getting on.

"Some give me a call for advice at times but we all have our own job to do."