Gary Pallister believes Rio Ferdinand has now established himself as Europe's number one defender.

Ferdinand has not always been a popular figure among Manchester United supporters, who were especially aggrieved at the defender's contract stand-off three years ago which came after his eight-month ban for a missed drugs test.

However, in signing that deal, and another one last season which will keep the Londoner at Old Trafford until 2013, he has silenced the critics who claimed he wanted to return to the capital.

He has secured Premier League title medals in his last two seasons, as well captaining United to Champions League glory in Moscow, and Ferdinand has now cemented his place in Red Devils folklore.

"When Rio is at his best, there is no finer defender in Europe," said former United centre-back Pallister.

"He has pace, is composed and uses the ball intelligently.

"We all know he had a difficult time with his contract negotiations and before that the missed drugs test. But these are the kind of events that make you stronger and Rio is now fulfilling all the potential people knew he had."

With Fabio Capello due to announce his England captain ahead of next month's friendly with the Czech Republic, Ferdinand could start the season with some good news too.

Certainly Pallister would not be surprised in the least if the 29-year-old won his personal battle with John Terry for the coveted role.

"Rio Ferdinand has excelled as a captain and a leader," he said.

"Those qualities first came to the fore at Leeds and now they are doing so at Old Trafford.

"He has grown into the job and United really benefited from that last season when Gary Neville was out.

"Rio has all the credentials required to captain United all the time. That job is currently taken by Gary but it would not shock me at all if he got the job for England."

Ironically though Pallister feels Ferdinand needs a Terry-like figure alongside him if he is to really shine.

It certainly seems to be the case at United, where Nemanja Vidic's arrival had a major impact on the former West Ham star, whose game compliments that of the tough-tackling Serbian perfectly.

"Rio and Nemanja Vidic have been absolutely sensational over the last couple of seasons," said Pallister.

"Playing alongside a more physical, aggressive type of player seems to have got the best out of Rio and taken him to another level.

"You could say it was a similar thing for me with Steve Bruce. But there is no doubt Rio feeds off Vidic and vice-versa."

:: Gary Pallister was speaking ahead of Setanta Sports' exclusively live coverage of the Vodacom Cup between Manchester United and either Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates at 2.30pm on Saturday, July 26. Visit www.setanta.com or call 08712 10 20 30.

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