Ferdinand - We trust Fergie

Ferdinand: Champing-at-the-bit

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Rio Ferdinand insists Manchester United's players are entirely unfazed by a lack of transfer activity at Old Trafford over the summer.

Following what was a glorious 2007/08 campaign that saw United capture both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles, it was expected Sir Alex Ferguson would continue his policy of buying from a position of strength.

The likes of Dimitar Berbatov and Klass-Jan Huntelaar had been mooted as possible targets, with many predicting Ferguson would add another striker to his ranks.

However, most of the summer has been spent fending off Real Madrid's advances for Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Scot seemingly content with those players already at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand can see no reason why Ferguson's decision making would ever be brought into question and is happy those already at the club are bracing themselves for another title defence.

Impeccable judgement

"We just trust the manager's judgement," Ferdinand told Sky Sports News.

"The manager makes the decisions and he's never ever steered us wrong before. We go along with whatever he says.

"If we don't sign any players then we'll go into the season as confident as ever. If we do, then great."

One man who could benefit from Ferguson's reluctance to enter the transfer market is Fraizer Campbell. The 20-year-old striker has returned to his parent club following a hugely successful loan spell at Hull last season.

Ferguson has been impressed with the starlet's displays in pre-season and Ferdinand feels if Campbell is given his head this term, he will not disappoint.

Campbell chance

"The opportunity is there for him, I think the manager outlined that last week.

"He came on against Espanyol and looked dangerous and scored a goal.

"He's a very talented footballer, but as I've said he's young. He's at such a young age and to be thrown in at the deep end, it's a big step to take. But the manager has dealt with these situations so many times before throughout his career.

"He's the man to know when to put him in and when to take him out. If Fraizer's put in I'm sure he can do a good job."

Ferdinand shared the captain's armband with Ryan Giggs for much of last term in Gary Neville's long-term absence through injury.

Neville's back

Neville has endured a nightmare time with injuries over the past few seasons but is now close to a first team return and Ferdinand accepts the veteran full-back is the club's true leader.

"Gary Neville is the Man United captain. The sooner he gets fit for Manchester United the better because he is a fantastic player.

"We are hoping he'll be fit for the new season. He's had a lot of bad luck this year with injuries and we'd like to see him fit. He's a top player.

"We had three or fours weeks off in the summer and if you speak to most of the lads we're all champing at the bit to get back. We've had a few games in the pre-season and it's starting to get back to the nitty-gritty."