Eric Cantona's ban in 1995 also ended in a televised game against the Dirties but there any similarity ends.
Eric's return was awaited with eager anticipation but a growing number of Reds now believe that Ferdinand has outstayed his welcome at Old Trafford. Despite his 'I owe you big time' speech in the official magazine the man who put his England career ahead of his club responsibilities has failed to win over the doubters.
Ferdinand is renowned in the dressing room for his lack of intelligence and he was given the benefit of the doubt when his failure to take a drug test was attributed to his poor memory but his decision to start his suspension in the January was not so easily excused. The Club made a very clear statement back in January that the decisions over any appeal and when the suspension would start were being left to the player. When Ferdinand chose to take his punishment there and then, months in advance of an appeal date it was seen as a calculated gamble in which Ferdinand put his place in the England squad for Portugal ahead of United's aspirations.
Marcel Desailly's waning powers and Alex Ferguson's accumulation of defenders has not dampened the rumours that Ferdinand will be a Chelsea player at the start of the season. After being rebuffed by a number of high profile targets this summer Kenyon and Abramovich need a big signing to show they can still do a deal and cash from a Ferdinand sale would provide United with the financial means to acquire Wayne Rooney or a Roy Keane replacement.