Ferdinand fit and ready for the first team, says Solskjaer

Manchester United's reserve team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared Rio Ferdinand ready to make a return to the first-team after the defender came through last night's game against Oldham.

It was the first time Ferdinand had been in action since he suffered a major knee ligament injury in a freak collision with Emile Heskey on the first day of World Cup training with England in South Africa.

It seems Ferdinand is now on track to face Everton at Goodison Park on 11 September after a typically stylish performance at Bower Fold in Stalybridge.

"It is a while since he has played but he was still calm," said Solskjaer. "He has got through an important 45 minutes, straight after two very hard training sessions yesterday and the day before so we are delighted with him."

Solskjaer moved quickly to dispel any fears that Ferdinand's premature departure last night was down to a recurrence of the injury.

For a player who has struggled badly for fitness over the past two years, during which he has missed 15 England games alone, Ferdinand is desperate for an injury-free run.

And Solskjaer confirmed he is raring to go. "There was no problem whatsoever," he said. "It was always planned that he would play 45 minutes. I am not sure he needs any more games. Rio is a naturally fit lad. Today was about distances and getting tighter to the ball. Now he is available for selection again."

Goalless when Ferdinand ended his contribution, United eventually emerged triumphant in a Manchester Senior Cup tie when Federico Macheda lashed home a superb left-footed strike in the latter stages to seal a 2-1 win.

Sir Alex Ferguson will doubtless also be interested to learn of a full 90 minutes for Anderson, who is on his way back from a cruciate ligament operation.