Reid said in today's Mirror: "They've got fantastic experience as a team, and that experience will help them whatever the atmosphere.
"I think when Manchester United have got their backs to the wall, that is when you've got to watch out."
"It's my first Leeds-United game," he added. "People have told me the atmosphere is second to none."
Ferguson meanwhile backed Ferdinand to rise above the inevitable barrage of taunts from Leeds fans today.
"Rio will definitely play. He had to go back to Leeds last season after joining us and coped with the situation, so nothing has changed.
"Rio has a strong enough character to cope with the situation. The Leeds fans certainly can't shout any louder at us than they did last season".