Vidic out until Christmas

Manchester United have been dealt a major blow with the confirmation that captain Nemanja Vidic is unlikely to be available until Christmas.

Vidic returned to the United starting line-up ahead of the current campaign after missing the majority of last season with a cruciate knee ligament injury, but he suffered another knee problem in the lead up to the 2-1 win over Liverpool in September.

At the time it was claimed he was left out of the side after featuring in United’s three previous matches, but it later transpired that he had encountered a small problem which required surgery.

It was hoped he would return within eight weeks, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits it will be Christmas before he will have the Serbian defender available.

“I think we’re talking around December for Vidic. Maybe around Christmas time,” Ferguson told MUTV.