Ferdinand Ready For Chelsea Clash

Rio Ferdinand is relishing Manchester United's showdown with Chelsea after the champions' impressive opening day victory away to Swansea.

The Red Devils, now under the stewardship of David Moyes following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, roared to a 4-1 win at the Liberty Stadium thanks to two goals each for Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck.

Their victory came just hours after returning Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho suggested that United and previous title holders Manchester City were not 'terrific' winners of the top flight.

Centre-back Ferdinand was happy to respond to the early dig from the Portuguese boss and is looking forward to welcoming the Blues to Old Trafford next Monday.

The former England international said: "That was his first soundbite of the season, wasn't it? I think we expected it.

"A lot of teams vying for the championship are going to be struggling for points at Swansea, so it was a good result.

"I'm looking forward to Chelsea. We are really looking forward to it. Now we can start playing for something.

"We are professional people and want to win. You don't appreciate it when people don't put you in the position you should be.

"Being champions you warrant maybe a little bit more but every next person is tipping someone else to win the league and putting us in third or fourth place.

"It seemed people thought we should have come away with zero points and there would have been a lot of noise if we'd lost.

"The vibe all week was people wanted it. So it was nice to go there - especially in the gaffer's first real competitive game - and to win convincingly as we did."