David Moyes: Rio Ferdinand helped me settle at Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand and David Moyes

David Moyes believes that Rio Ferdinand still has a big role to play for Manchester United, despite making just two appearances since November.

Ferdinand has been battling with knee injuries all season that have restricted him to 13 appearances in all competitions and has yet to be offered a new contract with the club, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the season.

But with Jonny Evans and Phil Jones both suffering injuries in the defeat to Stoke at the weekend, Moyes could be forced to turn to Ferdinand to help fill the void in the centre of his defence and backed him to do a good job there.

Moyes told reporters, “Rio is back training. He’s back and we will continue to use Rio at the right times and the right moments.

“Rio has made a great contribution, especially in the first half of the season. I played him in nearly all the opening eight to ten games. He was a big part in helping me settle.

“He has competition at centre-half, but he is very much valued and looked at as one of the senior players.”

Ferdinand could come into the squad to face Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, while United also have Nemanja Vidic available after serving his three game ban for his dismissal against Chelsea.