Ferdinand recently returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a knee injury sustained while away on international duty with England this summer.
Van der Sar told the Manchester Evening News: “It is nice when you get experienced players back. He did really well and has been working so hard to regain his fitness.
“He had the disappointment of not captaining England at the World Cup. But, hopefully, all the hard work he has put in will pay off and give him a good season without missing too many matches.”
