Rio Ferdinand has revealed his joy at being back involved with the Man Utd first team after injury.
Red Devils defender pleased to be back after calf injury
Rio Ferdinand has revealed his joy at being back involved with the Manchester United first team after recovering from a calf injury.
The defender missed the Red Devils' first four games of the season but managed to complete the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 win at Tottenham on Saturday.
The 30-year-old was somewhat of a surprise inclusion at White Hart Lance with many expecting the England international to be out until the end of September.
Despite his obvious pleasure at collecting all three points, and overcoming a tricky test in North London, Ferdinand admitted he was just glad to be back playing.
"When you're out injured it's never good to sit and watch in the stands or be restless at home while the lads are playing," he told the club's
official website.
"So it's great to be involved in the squad again."
Wake-up call
Any thoughts of a comfortable return to first-team action were abruptly erased when Jermain Defoe acrobatically volleyed Spurs into the lead after just 47 seconds.
"It was a bit of a wake-up call, it hits home the fact you're back playing in the first team again," he pointed out.
"But we responded in the right manner, getting the ball down and playing some of our best football this season."
Ferdinand is now turning his attention to United's UEFA Champions League opener in Besiktas on Tuesday and insists that only after that game will he begin to entertain thoughts of the derby against Manchester City on Sunday.
"They are two great games but firstly we need to concentrate on Besiktas as the Champions League starts again," he stated.
"It's a great competition to be involved in."
