Rio Ferdinand hopes a solid base of fitness in pre-season will help eradicate the niggling injuries that disrupted his 2008/09 campaign.

Ferdinand was a major injury doubt for the Champions League final in Rome, playing on despite having recently suffered a calf injury. That said, Rio still made 43 appearances last term. However, had he not suffered back, groin and rib problems, that figure would certainly have been much higher.

"It's probably the first season I've ever suffered injuries really," said the Reds defender. "But I still played 43 games. I accept I missed a few so hopefully this season it'll be back to normal practice."

The 30-year-old acknowledges that injuries, aches and pains come with the number of games it takes to reach the latter stages of every tournament you compete in.

"You prefer to go into every game feeling you are the best you can be physically. But realistically the football season doesn't allow for that. You carry niggles for most of the season. The Champions League final was no different."

So far, Ferdinand is pleased with the groundwork he has been putting in, first at Carrington, and now on the Asia Tour.

"It's going all right," he told the Press Association. "The main thing, as we say every year, is fitness. We are trying to get ourselves to a good stage of fitness. We enjoy it. It is nice to be playing. You would rather have that than be running around on the training ground. The more games you play the better you feel."

"I have been doing a little bit extra work on my own as well, but I've started the pre-season with everybody else and been happy with it."

Ferdinand also says the Reds squad is "buzzing" after the start Michael Owen has made to his Reds career. It may not have been against top-standard opposition, but Owen's two goals in two games so far this summer is a pleasing sight.

"The lads get a great buzz out of seeing someone like Michael Owen score goals," he said. "When he signed there were a lot of doubters. People said this and that... we've heard it all. But the players go in there with an open mind. We just hope to see the player we know Michael can be.

"So far this pre-season he has played two games and scored two goals. That speaks for itself. There are not many better finishers in world football when he is on his game.

"He is one of those players who you might not see for 90 minutes but in time added on, he will score a goal. Those are the type of players you need to win things. It is great to have him in our squad. He is a great lad as well. Fingers crossed he can have an injury free season and score some goals for us."

Michael Owen feels honoured to have been handed the No.7 shirt and insists he can handle the responsibility that comes with it.

The striker has taken over the number following Cristiano Ronaldo's summer departure to Real Madrid and has already bagged two goals in his first two games in the famous jersey.

Owen is determined to maintain the great traditions of the shirt previously worn by the likes of Beckham, Cantona and Robson, whilst carving out his own history as a United No.7.

"I was quite shocked when the manager asked me to wear it, but obviously very honoured," he told MUTV.

"You only have to look at the last half a dozen players to have worn the shirt... there are some fantastic players and I’ll obviously do my best to continue that tradition, score a few goals and to do the shirt proud.

"I know it means a lot to the fans. That’s what the manager said to me straight away. He said I’d need broad shoulders to wear it and I told him that was fine, that I could handle that responsibility. I don’t feel it will add extra pressure - I think I’m old enough and wise enough not to let it get to me. I’m really proud to have it and hopefully I’ll do well in it."

Zoran Tosic was given a fleeting taste of first-team football with the Reds soon after his New Year arrival from Partizan Belgrade.

After making his debut in January's FA Cup win over Tottenham, he featured in the victories over West Brom and Hull City, but spent the remainder of the campaign plying his trade in the Reserves.

Now on tour in Asia with the senior squad, the Serbian international spoke exclusively to MUTV about his life at Old Trafford and outlined his ambitions for the 2009/10 season.

How have you enjoyed your time at Manchester United so far?
Well, I’m very happy to play for this club and I’m trying to do my best every day. I hope that in the next few games [during pre-season] I’ll get my chance and when I do I’ll try to play the best I can.

We’ve seen you play a lot in the Reserves. How has that been for you?
For me it’s important to play games. In the last six months I haven’t played for the first team so much. If I’m only training then that’s not good – you have to play. I’m happy to play a few games for the Reserves because it helps me keep in good condition and means I’m ready if I get a chance in the first team.

How does the game in England compare to that back in Serbia?
It’s a very different kind of football and I was very nervous during my first few matches here. You have to be strong and very well prepared for every game. Everything’s different but I’m used to it now. It’s normal for me. I think it’s the best league in the world, but also the hardest.

What have you had to do in order to adapt to playing in England?
I have to do more on the physical side. In a game you have so many challenges – you need to be very strong at all times. I’m working in the gym a lot and I’m improving so I hope I’m ready when the season starts. I’d like to play more.

Who’s been the biggest help since you arrived at the club?
Of course, Vida [Nemanja Vidic] has helped me the most. I know him from the national team. He’s told me a lot about the club, the way we like to play and what to do both on and off the pitch. He’s with me all the time and helping me a lot. But not only him – all the players have been very good to me.

What’s it been like on those occasions when you've played for the first team?
The day I made my debut was the most important day in my life because I played for the club that I loved since I first started playing football. There were 75,000 people there so it was a very good atmosphere. You can only enjoy that.

What’s it like travelling to the other side of the world and playing in Asia?
This is my first tour but I hope there’ll be more in the next few years. It’s very hot so the games are tough. We have to train very hard and it’s difficult in this weather. But I think it will help us for when we get back to England – it will help us prepare for the new season.

What are your aims for the upcoming campaign?
I’m trying to do my best in every training session and every game. I hope I’ll get a chance and I’ll try to make the most of that chance. I’m not thinking about how many games I want to play – I just want to train hard and take my opportunities.

From watching you in the Reserves we know you’re very quick and you have lots of tricks in your locker. What do you most enjoy about your game?
Playing for the first team is different to the Reserves. In the Reserves you have more space and you can play free football. In the first team it’s quicker and stronger – there’s not so much space to do tricks. Instead you have to play the ball quickly. I just want to do my best to do well for the team. Then after that, maybe I’ll try some tricks!

We've heard you can take a good free-kick. If you get a chance in the first team will you put your hand up to take them now Ronaldo’s gone?
Of course I will… if they let me! I’m practising every day on the training ground and I’m doing well.

What have you made of Michael Owen?
I’ve been watching Michael since I was a kid and I remember the goal he scored for England against Argentina 10 years ago. I’m very happy to be playing with him and the rest of the team. I’m happy for him because he scored on his debut and I hope that I’m going to score soon.