Fergie salutes unruffled Rio

Tottenham 1 Man United 2

Ferguson had toyed with the idea of leaving out Ferdinand at White Hart Lane, but relied on the defender's ability to put his disciplinary problems to one side.

United seized a 2-0 lead through strikes by John O'Shea and Ruud van Nistelrooy and while Spurs hit back through Gus Poyet, the visitors survived late pressure to ensure that they will top the table at Christmas.

Ferguson said: "I was really pleased for Rio. It was probably the best thing to play him to get a lot of things out of his mind by concentrating on playing. I felt he acquitted himself very well in the circumstances.

"I think he merits his position in the team because of his performances. Strangely enough, since this happened, he has become better and better. I think he's matured, while he and Mikael Silvestre have formed a great partnership. With those two and Tim Howard, we've got a great backbone, so why should I change it?"

Ferguson also had a warning for his side's title rivals after leaping above Chelsea and Arsenal to lead the Premiership by a point.

"Historically, we've always shown our determination in the second-half of the season and hopefully we can prove those statistics right again," he insisted.

"It's not going to be easy but I think the players are ready for it. The important thing is to be there at the turn of the year.

"I always feel that when you see the league table on January 1, you know how things are going to pan out for all positions."

United surged into an early lead as O'Shea volleyed them ahead after 14 minutes before van Nistelrooy scored against Spurs for the fifth consecutive time, albeit via a deflection off Anthony Gardner.

Spurs finally came alive in the second-half, with Poyet pulling a goal back with 27 minutes left, but United still proved too strong.

"It was closer than we would have liked. We did well for the first hour and our experienced players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane were fantastic. We ended up scrambling but we still got the three points," said Ferguson.

Spurs boss David Pleat was not surprised by the selection of Ferdinand, who was booed by some Tottenham fans.

"It was a typical Alex ploy to suggest he might not play and then say to him 'go on, son, you're going to have to face everyone before long so go out and do it now'," he said.

"The booing? I don't think it's relevant. What do you expect them to do? Cheer him? That's just down to the tribalism of football."

Pleat, whose side are just two points above the relegation zone, added: "I feel that we could have got a draw. We stood up and were counted. We tried to redden Alex's face a bit more, but were unable to."

Ferguson had earlier hinted Ferdinand may turn his back on England because of the eight-month ban.

Ferguson claims the FA "condemned" Ferdinand by leaving him out of the England team to face Turkey in a Euro 2004 qualifier.

But he has also put a question mark over Ferdinand's will to return to international action. "Whether he ever plays for his country again, or whether he wants to play for them, is another matter," said Ferguson.

"We will need to assess the situation. It may not end with the FA we may have to go to court."

The United manager said he was concerned during the build-up to the hearing that supporters may have been given the impression there is a drugs problem within the game.

"I don't think drugs in football is anywhere near the problem it is in some individual sports like cycling and athletics. I hear things and people tell me all sorts of stories but at our club I have never had any experience and I don't have any problem with that.

"I am sure testing is going to get stricter after all this. There are bound to be changes but we will have to see what they are."

TOTTENHAM: Keller, Carr, Taricco (Ricketts 64), Gardner, Richards, Anderton (Poyet 19), Dalmat (Postiga 77), King, Konchesky, Kanoute, Keane.

MAN UTD: Howard, Gary Neville, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Fletcher (Ronaldo 79), Keane (Butt 82), Phil Neville, Giggs, van Nistelrooy, Scholes.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).