Ferdinand also backed Michael Owen to hit a run of goalscoring form after he got off the mark for his new club with the fourth goal at Wigan.

'People have said he was finished and was not worth the risk, yet he scored with probably his hardest chance of the season,' the United captain said.

'But I think that goal on Saturday will catapult him towards scoring a few more.'

Chelsea, joint top of the table after three wins, face Burnley, who beat them in the Carling Cup last season.

'We are starting to play the way the manager wants, even if he is still saying we can improve and we do have to improve,' said striker Didier Drogba.

The other leaders, Tottenham, host Birmingham Sunday, while Liverpool, after two defeats in their opening three games, most recently against Aston Villa Monday, travel to Bolton Wanderers.

'We know we have to improve on Saturday at Bolton,' said forward Yossi Benayoun.

'Against Villa we did not play like we can play, we didn't move the ball quickly enough as we did to beat Stoke last week.

'Last season we only lost two league games, so of course we are not pleased. But we have to show we are still a strong team with character to recover from this.'