Source: The Telegraph. The United captain has been out of action since rupturing ligaments in his right knee during the first half of the Champions League defeat against FC Basle in Switzerland on Dec 7. Initial fears that the former Serbia defender could be sidelined for up to a year have subsided in recent weeks, although manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed suggestions that Vidic could make a surprise return to action before the end of this season. But with United due to begin their pre-season preparations in early July, Vidic is confident that he will be fit to participate.“It’s going well.” Vidic told manutd.com. “Obviously the projection was that I would be ready for the next season. I am on schedule and will hopefully start training again in July. “Much of the stuff I’m doing in the gym, I don’t look forward to, but it benefits me. I have to say I’m doing more work now, while I’m injured, than I do when I’m playing. Because of that, I spend more time at Carrington training ground, but also because I’m not playing, there is less travelling so I can spend some more time with my family. “That’s a good point for me, because we have a third child now so there is a lot to do at home.” Despite Vidic’s absence, United have been able to maintain their title challenge, with Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans forming a central defensive partnership for the bulk of that period.Youngsters Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have also stepped in at centre-half and Vidic admits he has been impressed by the ability of United’s emerging defenders to compensate for his loss. Vidic said: “I think they are doing very well. If you look at their age and the expectation we have from them, it wasn’t that high, but they turned out to be important players for the team.“They have great futures ahead of them and Jonny Evans has been playing really well in the last few games. “It’s good for the team to have stability at the back and is the way to win the title.” Great to hear he is on track with his comeback and is raring to go. Vidic is expecting to be fit for the pre season games in early July. We need him back fresh and raring to go in the new season and hopefully his return will provide stability at the heart of our defence.
I heard this yesterday he was doing a webchat on the club website, he'll have a fight on his when he comes back though because Jonny Evans has been superb, i'llb e glad when's he back.
Just hope he doesn't rush back too soon. If he takes his time with rehab and recovery he'll have a lower risk of getting injured again. I don't want another Hargreaves on our hands.
He's been such a mainstay in the back that i didn't notice just how much we would miss just his leadership in the back. It wouldn't surprise if we had a large gap on city if he didn't get injured.
Completely agree, I suppose if we win the league we would have done so whilst giving the younger centre backs a lot of experience, making he's injury not so bad at all. If we don't you could look at vidic missing as part of the reason.
I think we've missed him much more in Europe, but he would definitely have had an influence in the games against Chelsea and Blackburn.
