Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has rubbished Reading striker Dave Kitson's claim that the FA Cup no longer matters.The Reading striker has dismissed the world's oldest cup competition as a virtual irrelevance compared to Premier League survival.

Given the vast amounts of cash now swirling about in the top flight, it was an understandable comment, even if Reading's battling draw at Tottenham suggests not all Kitson's team-mates are in agreement.

And Ferdinand, part of a United side beaten by Chelsea in last season's final, felt Kitson's observations were astounding, not only flying in the face of a winning mentality he believes every professional should have but also raising the theory that form can be switched on and off at will.

"You hear some funny quotes coming out from some people saying they don't care about this competition," said Ferdinand.

"I don't know how you can turn your form on and off for each game.

"You want to win every day in training, let alone a match in front of 30,000 people. Manchester United go into competitions to win them.

"It is just a natural winning mentality to want to go out and win every game you play. Most players are like that. I have not got it inside me to to say I want to win this game but not that one.

"If you do that, you won't do yourself justice, or the team, the club or the fans."

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