Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has insisted that manager Sir Alex Ferguson can rely on his defence following their win over Liverpool.

Despite their tendency to leak goals so far this season, United held off substantial late pressure from the Reds to earn a 2-1 win at Old Trafford on Sunday and maintain their seven-point lead in the table.

The Red Devils were forced into swapping Chris Smalling for the injured Nemanja Vidic in the second half, and Ferdinand believes that it highlighted their solidity.

"I think we've got players who the manager can put 100% faith in to come in and do jobs," said Ferdinand.

"Jonny Evans has done fantastically well when Vidic has been out. Chris Smalling has done well when he has come in and so has Phil Jones.

"We've got players who we know that the manager can be confident about putting in and I think that's more important than anyone one of us as individuals."

The league leaders host West Ham United on Wednesday in their FA Cup third-round replay at Old Trafford.