"Jonny is a top, top player," Ferdinand has said.
"A few managers wanted to buy him in the summer, so that tells you what a good prospect he is. At Sunderland last season he was probably one of their better players.
"He's good with both feet, he's playing for Northern Ireland and he'll probably be their captain in the near future.
"You can see why the manager fought so hard to keep him, and to make sure Jonny realises his future is here at Old Trafford.
"He'll have a major part to play in the coming years."