Wolves 0-1 Man United: The Daily Mirror match report

The most significant milestone for Manchester United was not a 100th Premier League goal for Paul Scholes or usurping Chelsea at the top of the table.

Of greater importance to United was Rio Ferdinand completing 90 minutes in an otherwise wretched season during which he has been held hostage by his dodgy back.

Sir Alex Ferguson may have major doubts over Wayne Rooney's fitness ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie with AC Milan, but Ferdinand provided his boss with a welcome boost.

Ferdinand's injury problems this season have placed the newly-appointed England captain under huge scrutiny, not least with the start of the World Cup less than 100 days away.

Such was the extent of Ferdinand's prolonged back problem he has made just 15 appearances for United this season and played successive games on only two occasions.

For a player who has averaged 44 games in his previous seven seasons at United, Ferdinand's enforced absence provoked legitimate questions over his long-term future.

But at Wolves, Ferdinand played with an assurance and composure - and crucially without any adverse reaction - to suggest he may finally be over his injury nightmare.

"I've worked hard on my rehab for the last few months and this game was what it's all about," said Ferdinand as he stood by the Molineux tunnel in the aftermath of United's win.

"I just want to play as many games as possible. It's been a bit stop-start this season but hopefully I can get a run of games now and we can have a good end to the season.

"I was told to expect a set-back during the early stages of my rehab and the proof was in the pudding.

"That did happen, but I didn't think it would keep me out for any longer than it did. I'm not even thinking about the World Cup at this stage.

"I'm just thinking about playing for Manchester United. My football is here at the moment and everything else will click into place if I'm playing here.

"I'm taking things game by game. That's the only way to look at it. I've got through this game and I'm very pleased with that. Now I'm looking forward to Wednesday."

United's win provided further proof of their enduring ability to grind out wins, by sheer force of will as much as anything else, even when not playing particularly well.

It was only the seventh time Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, United's first-choice central defensive pairing, have played together all season.

And the game marked the first time in 18 months that Fergie was able to field his strongest back-four of Wes Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic and Patrice Evra.

Wolves played with a spirit and enterprise that belied their current status as relegation candidates, but lacked any kind of killer touch in front of the target.

United, missing Rooney for the first time in 19 games after he aggravated a knee injury on England duty, laboured for much of the game but struck the crucial blow through Scholes.

The 35-year-old midfieler seized on a poor clearance from Jody Craddock and created enough space to enable him to steer an angled shot past Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann.

"It's nice to get to 100 Premier league goals," said Scholes. "I've been on 99 for a while now, so it's nice to get it done and I'm really pleased I've managed to achieve it.*

United were thankful to substitute Sam Vokes, who somehow contrived to sccop the ball over the bar from six yards out in added-time, with only Edwin van der Sar to beat.

That United managed to hang on to claim victory was testimony to their experience in such situations, not to mention the generosity of Vokes in missing from point-blank range.

Fergie said: "We deserved to win. We had the most chances, even though they had an outstanding one at the end.

"It's the kind of chance you hope you get in a match but the lad didn't take it and he'll suffer for that. But in the main I thought we deserved to win."