Rio in Wembley hope

Ferdinand was forced to miss United's 2004 victory over Millwall as part of an eight-month suspension imposed by the Football Association for missing a drugs test.

The England international was back for the final in Cardiff a year later but United were beaten on penalties by Arsenal to leave Ferdinand distraught.

"I've had disappointments in the cup before so I would like to taste a bit of victory this time," he said.

"I have been on the other side of the coin. You are on the way home and there are loads of ifs and buts, so I would like to erase the memories with a victory on Saturday."

It has been suggested that Chelsea, who won the League Cup earlier this season, might be hungrier for success than United after losing out to Alex Ferguson's side in the Premiership title race.

But it is not a theory which holds any water for Ferdinand, who is desperate to mark the first final at the new Wembley by helping United complete the league and cup double for the fourth time.

"It would be fantastic to do it and that's what we're aiming for. People will think we've won the league and we're going to be content with that, but that's not the case," he said.

"We want to win the game. You can't say that someone has more incentive to win the trophy.

"When you look back on your career you want to count medals and this is a great opportunity for us to win a medal here. We won't be slacking on any front.

"I think it was an added incentive this season when it was announced that the final was going to be at Wembley."

Ferdinand could be key to United's chance of success as the defensive partnership he has forged with Nemanja Vidic will be responsible for trying to contain potential Chelsea match-winner Didier Drogba.

Drogba won the Premiership golden boot after scoring 20 of his 32 goals this season in the league, but Ferdinand, 28, said United would be prepared for any threat from Jose Mourinho's team.

"We never go into a game worried about any player," he said. "Obviously Didier Drogba has had a good season and scored many goals for Chelsea but it would be wrong on our part to worry about one player.

"We need to think about Chelsea as a collective team and as a unit, rather than as individuals."