Ferdinand missed crucial games

And he confessed that both United and the FA can learn lessons from the saga.

"Losing Rio was a big blow. You don't lose a �30m defender - one of the top defenders in European football - without it hurting you.

"It would be stupid to say it didn't. If you look at our form before Rio was suspended, we had the best defence."

Gill told www.manutd.com: "We were sitting at the top of the league in very good shape and then the wheels fell off.

"I think Rio, the club and the FA would agree there are lessons to be learned.

"We clearly felt aggrieved at the way it came into the public domain much sooner than in any other case and clearly, if you look at some of the precedents on punishment, they were a lot less than the eight-month ban Rio ended up with.

"But it's important to note that the FA, both at the original hearing and at the appeal, were pushing for a 12-month sentence.

"So I think it's difficult to know what the situation would have been (if Rio had admitted culpability).

"I do think the procedures that the FA are bringing in for discipline next season will be a great improvement and now we just have to put the matter behind us.

"Obviously we desperately want Rio back on 20 September as the world class defender he is and to get on with our lives."