Rio Ferdinand: Derby defeat made us better

Rio Ferdinand has said that Manchester United's 6-1 loss to rivals Manchester City in October made his team stronger.

The England centre-back, who is in line for a start against Newcastle United tonight, said that the defeat was a turning point in the Red Devils' season.

"I'll be honest, and it pains me to say it, but it was probably one of the best things that happened to us," Ferdinand said.

"We were playing a very open kind of football. It made us sit back and think we've got to tighten up all over the pitch.

"If we do that, we have the players to exploit any other team when we go forward."

The 33-year-old believes that United have shown a great resolve this season.

"We've got a crazy amount of injuries and illnesses, yet we're still managing to get the results and long may that continue," he added.

"The most important thing is the way the squad is playing now. The manager has said at the beginning of the season it's not about 11 men.

"Since we went out of the Champions League we've shown a great resolve in our squad."

Manchester United are currently second in the Premier League, three points off leaders City.