Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed when fit Wes Brown is the 'best natural defender in the country', ahead of the likes of England duo John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

The 30-year-old's flourishing partnership with Nemanja Vidic at the heart of United's defence has been a silver lining for Ferguson due to a lengthening injury list at Old Trafford which includes Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Jonny Evans.

"Vidic and Brown have been fantastic in recent games. It just reminds me that when Wes Brown is fit he's the best natural defender in the country," said Ferguson ahead of his side's clash with struggling Portsmouth on Saturday.

Signed as a trainee in July 1996, Brown's United career has suffered countless injury interruptions since making his debut against Leeds United in 1998 and he was forced to miss most of last season due an ankle problem.

This was particularly cruel on Brown after he had enjoyed arguably his finest season in a red shirt as he made the right-back spot his own, culminating in his impressive display in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final win over Chelsea.

"He's kept coming back from the injuries he's had in his career. He's had two cruciates and a broken ankle and other injuries," Ferguson continued.

"Last season he had a very stagnant season in terms of interruptions to his consistency, but the previous season he was our most consistent defender.

"Now he's fit again and looking fantastic, he gets better all the time."