Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has admitted that it feels sweeter defeating rivals Liverpool and Manchester City rather than nabbing three points off Chelsea.

The Premier League champions take on Jose Mourinho's Blues in new manager David Moyes's first match at Old Trafford on Monday.

The Red Devils also face enemies Liverpool and local rivals City within the space of a month.

"The Liverpool and Manchester City games are usually hyped up a bit more than anyone else, so the feeling after winning one of those games is probably the biggest of the season," Sky Sports News quotes Ferdinand as saying.

United began their season last weekend with a 4-1 victory over Swansea City.