Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Rio Ferdinand after his performance against Spurs.
Ferguson selected Ferdinand just two days after the defender was given an eight-month ban by the Football Association after missing a drugs test.
He said: "I was very pleased with Rio, I think it was the best thing to play him - he acquitted himself very well.
"I think the boy merits his position in the team because of his performances."
John O'Shea and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored as United won 2-1 at White Hart Lane, with Gustavo Poyet on the scoresheet for Spurs.
But Ferdinand was always going to be the centre of attention after the suspension handed to him by the FA, which is due to begin on 12 January.
He was booed by the home fans but had a solid game, and Ferguson - who is backing his �29m star all the way - says he is playing too well to drop over the controversy.
"He and Mikael Silvestre have formed a fantastic partnership.
Together with the form of goalkeeper Tim Howard they have provided a good backbone - so why should I change it?"
Ferguson admitted, however, that he was relieved to hear the final whistle following a Spurs fightback.
United led 2-0 at half time, but the hosts improved after the break and got back into the game after Poyet's goal.
"It was closer than I wanted," said Ferguson.
"From a position where we were in good control for the game Spurs upped their tempo in the second half. I thought we were still in control but we scrambled to get three points.
"There was a confidence and good rhythm about our game, the experienced players - Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs - were fantastic."
Spurs boss David Pleat was not surprised by the selection of Ferdinand.
"It was a typical Alex ploy to suggest he might not play and then say to him 'Go on, son, you're going to have to face everyone before long so go out and do it now'," he said.
Of the catcalls for Ferdinand he added: "What do you expect them to do? Cheer him? That's just down to the tribalism of football."
MMIX
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