Rio Ferdinand lined up for Manchester United on Sunday two days after being given an eight-month suspension for failing to take a drug test.

He took his place at the centre of the Reds defence and helped United go top of the Premier league with a 2-1 victory at Tottenham.

Although the suspension doesn't start until Jan 12, Alex Ferguson's decision to field the world's most expensive defender was seen as an act of defiance to FIFA which had been campaigning for a two-year ban.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter also had said Ferdinand should not have been allowed to play since the Sept 23 missed test and has even threatened to take points away from the team.

But Ferguson saw no reason to field him and was delighted his defender was able to forget about the ban for 90 minutes and play a part in a victory at White Hart Lane.

"I'm very pleased," said United manager Alex Ferguson. "I think it was probably the best thing to play him, getting all the things out of his mind and concentrating on playing again. I think he's acquitted himself very well in the circumstances.

"The boy merits a position in the team because of his performance. Strangely enough, since it's all happened, he's been better and better.

"He and Mikael Silvestre have formed a fantastic partnership I feel. And with Tim Howard in his form it gives us a great backbone so why should I change it?"

Goals by John O'Shea and Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Reds in control before Gustavo Poyet replied for Spurs. The result means United is the first team to reach 40 points with Arsenal and Chelsea tied for second on 39.

The Reds went ahead in the 15th minute when O'Shea met a corner from Darren Fletcher, sticking out a right leg to deflect the ball into the top corner past Kasey Keller.

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