The Manchester United boss said: "He was wrong not to go he knows that but we have to keep supporting him. He knows he is innocent."

But the Old Trafford chief is adamant the FA banned Ferdinand for eight months without any evidence to justify their harsh punishment.

United defender Ferdinand, 25, was hit with the record rap when he failed to take the drugs test at the club's Carrington training ground.

He insists he simply forgot after being told he was one of a number of players who was required and went to Manchester city centre instead.

Ferguson added: "There is no evidence at all. We will get a lot of criticism but we are fully entitled to support someone who is innocent."

United have until January 12 to appeal against the sentence which will also force Ferdinand out of England's Euro 2004 campaign.

Ferguson decided to play his shell-shocked centre-half at Tottenham on Sunday just two days after the FA disciplinary committee hearing. Ferdinand responded with one of his best performances of the season.

Ferguson said: "It's not easy. As I keep saying, no one is unbreakable.

"You wonder what's going on underneath the surface of the guy.

"Is he ready to break with the strain put on him? How is he feeling in himself?

"It's very difficult to assess the situation accurately.

"I spoke to him before the Spurs game and said, 'Do you really want to play'.

"He said, 'I want to play, I must play' and I admire that in a way because it took the decision away from me!

"It wasn't an easy one, I could have got it wrong but he showed character and the right temperament to get on with it."

Fergie also revealed the rest of the United squad have put a protective arm around Ferdinand and helped him through his trouble times.

He revealed: "The players have been great with him.

"There's been a lot of mickey-taking as you would expect.

"But in the main, they really feel for him. He knows he has plenty of support."