Ferdinand and Anderson back for United

Rio Ferdinand is available for first-team selection at Manchester United after making a successful comeback for the reserves.

Ferdinand made his first appearance since suffering knee ligament damage on England duty this summer when he was involved in a training-ground collision with Emile Heskey.

After he played 45 minutes of a Manchester Senior Cup tie against Oldham on Wednesday night, reserves boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the 31-year-old is now ready to return to Premier League action.

"Rio is always the same player," he said. "It is a while since he has played but he was still calm. 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."

He added: "There was no problem whatsoever. 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."

Anderson, who has also been out with knee ligament damage, completed the full 90 minutes and is also close to a first-team return. "He's coming along nicely," Solskjaer said.

The score was 0-0 when Ferdinand was taken off at half-time, but United came out with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Nicky Ajose and Federico Macheda. Joe Jacobsen's header had given Oldham the lead.

Meanwhile, Bebe, who was not involved on Wednesday, says he is happy with his progress since moving to Old Trafford.

"I am working hard," he told A Bola. "Everyone has helped me a lot. I have adapted well, given the short time I have been there. The older ones help me a lot."

Source: ESPN Soccernet

Ferguson explains Bebe signing

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Manchester United made a quick decision on the signing of Bebe as other clubs were beginning to show interest.

Bebe, 20, is joining from Portuguese club Vitoria de Guimaraes after United agreed to pay his release clause, believed to be in the region of £7 million. He had signed from Estrela da Amadora in the Portuguese third division only five weeks earlier.

However, it was reported that Real Madrid were keen on the player and, after Ferguson received a recommendation from Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz, he decided United should make their move.

"It's one of these things that when you identify someone of potential we normally would assess over a longer period but we do scout Portugal and he's very bright and he's got tremendous instinct," he said. "He's two footed and he's very quick. There's material there.

"Other clubs were starting to hover on the boy and so we made a quick decision and said, 'Well, why don't we go for it?' He's got material and I'm sure we can work with that. He's young and we're good at young players really, so that's the reason."

Bebe played football in a homeless team during a brief spell on the streets and Ferguson added: "It is a fairytale when you read about his background, but it is one of those things that happens when you identify someone with potential.

"He doesn't speak any English, so that needs to be addressed, and we need to allow him to settle in, but sometimes you have to work on an impulse."

Source: ESPN Soccernet