Rio Ferdinand: Every Manchester Untied player must 'prove themselves' to David Moyes - even me

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to take charge of his final game on Sunday

Rio Ferdinand and Sir Alex Ferguson share a moment after the former's winning goal gave Manchester United a 2-1 win over Swansea (GETTY IMAGES)

Rio Ferdinand insists everybody at Manchester United must prove themselves to new manager David Moyes - no matter who they are.

Ferdinand retired from international football yesterday to focus on his United career, but he knows that with Sir Alex Ferguson's 26-year reign ending after Sunday's game at West Brom, nothing is guaranteed.

Indeed, the 34-year-old centre-half, who has won six Premier League titles with the Red Devils, is sure every member of the squad will be starting again when Moyes takes over.

Speaking to MUTV, Ferdinand said: "We've got to prove ourselves to the new manager. He's going to come in with new ideas, new rules, a new regime.

"No matter how long you've been here, whether it's the likes of Giggsy or myself, we're going to be in the same boat as people like Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones, Tom Cleverley.

"We have got to make sure he feels we're the right people to start each game."

Ferdinand revealed Ferguson's announcement left the dressing room in hushed silence, but accepts the timing of his departure is fitting.

"He broke the news to us and the thing I remember most is that it was dead quiet in the room, a mad silence," he said.

"It was just a combination of disappointment and respect for the manager's decision, and for what he's done for us as individuals and as a team.

"(Winning the title) is the way the manager would have liked to leave the club in his dreams, not looking up at other teams but saying 'come and catch us'."

Ferdinand was speaking at the club's end-of-season awards ceremony, an evening which saw Robin van Persie lift the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award as well as the goal of the season trophy for his memorable volley against Aston Villa.

But the Players' Player of the Year Award went to a different recipient in midfielder Michael Carrick.

The England international summed up the drive that had inspired the side this season after the disappointment of Manchester City's title success last year.

"The character of the lads has been talked about but especially this season," he said.

"Last season was so hard to take and that's where it started, we remembered the feeling and said 'it won't happen again'.

"Last year was hard to take for everyone, especially to that lot over the road, it was tough.

"Not many teams in the world would come back from that.

"People wrote us off and we came through strong. I'm so proud of the character we showed and the way we've done it."

And Carrick was in no doubt as to who led the charge.

"It all comes from the manager," he said.

"You don't just play for this club, you live for this club once you're here."

PA