Ferdinand: I never lost hope we’d turn things around

RIO FERDINAND insists Manchester United’s rapid rise up the Premier League has not taken him by surprise.

It is just a calendar month since United were spinning towards a damaging defeat at Aston Villa at the end of a week that had started with a narrow escape against Wolves and a tame derby draw with Manchester City.

United appeared incapable of sustaining a title challenge and major questions were being asked of the quality in Alex Ferguson’s squad.