Sir Alex Ferguson admitted the 1-1 home draw to Newcastle was a fair result.
The Reds were missing eight established first-team players for various reasons but Ferguson refused to use that as an excuse.

Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick - who himself has moonlighted as a roadie recently - has revealed which bands and artists he and his team-mates play in their dressing room before playing matches.

Writing a column in tomorrow's (August 13) issue of NME, Carrick also revealed the musical tastes of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United's Gary Neville believes team-mate Rio Ferdinand deserves to be named captain of England.

"I would be delighted for Rio if he was made England captain," said Neville. "Obviously I hope it's Rio as he is a team-mate of mine and it would be great for the club.

"He is certainly the best defender in the club at the moment and it would be well deserved.

Rio Ferdinand is set to be named as the England captain for the 2010 World Cup campaign, reports The Mirror.

England coach Fabio Capello has narrowed his selection process for a long-term skipper down to two players - Ferdinand and his centre-back partner John Terry.

Capello has reportedly told friends Ferdinand has been excellent.

Rio Ferdinand expects Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to buy a new striker to compliment Wayne Rooney this season.

"I know the manager wants to see Wayne playing in his more accustomed position, just off the front," said Ferdinand.

"Maybe that will happen if we sign a striker and then you'll see how dangerous he can be."

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rates Rio Ferdinand as the best defender in the world.

Ferguson said: "Rio has been the best defender in the country if not Europe for a couple of years. His maturity and leadership have been key factors in the team's success.

"He is someone that young players learn from and that more experienced players respect.

Manchester United and Portsmouth face malaria concerns ahead of their trip to Nigeria.

The Sun says United and Portsmouth must cover up at night and take malaria tablets after Kolo Toure was hit with the disease.

The Arsenal centre-back, 27, was bitten by a mosquito in his native Ivory Coast.

United play Pompey in a friendly in Nigeria on Sunday.

Rio Ferdinand will make his first appearance of the season for Manchester United in their friendly against Orlando Pirates in South Africa.

"Rio trained yesterday," confirmed United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. "He wasn't so stiff, and if he trains well today (Monday) he will certainly start on Tuesday.

Rio Ferdinand is ready to welcome Cristiano Ronaldo back into the Manchester United fold after a summer of transfer speculation.

Rio Ferdinand is convinced Manchester United are stronger when Wayne Rooney has a striker to play alongside.

Ferdinand told the Observer: "I honestly think that if Louis Saha had been fit all season we probably would've won the league earlier - he's that vital to us, and a player of that type is important to us.