Vidic is Back!

While Manchester United supporters wait patiently for news on new signings, the return of an existing player could prove to be an even bigger boost. Having missed the last eight months through injury, Nemanja Vidic made a long-awaited comeback and featured as United played out a goalless draw with Valerenga on Sunday evening.

Vidic was absent for a lot of the 2011/12 campaign, after sustaining a serious knee injury against Basel in December. Suffice to say, his absence affected United massively with the Red Devils looking significantly weaker at the back. Moreover, with Vidic the current club captain, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were also deficited in another way.

However, it now appears as though the big Serbian is well on the road to recovery. He managed an hour of the friendly fixture on Sunday and with the campaign a couple of weeks away, it shouldn’t be too long before he adds to that. Fortunately, it also looks as though the former Spartak Moscow man suffered no ill-effects following the appearance. Speaking to MUTV, the player said, “I felt well. My knee felt well and hopefully the next game will be better.”

However, while Vidic returned for the encounter, United were missing several other well-known faces. Sir Alex Ferguson was away on “other club business”, meaning that assistant manager Mike Phelan took charge of the team. News of Fergie’s absence has suggested that United are closing in on one of their targets, with both Lucas Moura and Robin Van Persie heavily linked over recent days. Elsewhere, Patrice Evra also wasn’t included, as the French full back attended the birth of his child.

Following Vidic’s appearance in this clash, it remains to be seen whether or not he will be risked for the game against Barcelona later in the week. Already, the club have confirmed that both Ferguson and Evra will return to the United camp ahead of the fixture.