Fergie: Vidic and Rio return can clinch the title for United

Sir Alex Ferguson has identified the return of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic as the key to Manchester United's chances of a record fourth straight title.

Injuries and suspensions have restricted Ferdinand and Vidic to eight appearances together this season, which has seen United struggle without their first-choice central defensive pair.

But Fergie said Ferdinand and Vidic, who have helped United to successive clean sheets in their last two games, can provide the defensive security required to close out the title race.

"It's a great boost having them back," said Fergie. "When I see the two of them together there's a sense of security we've been fighting to get all season.

"We've had to rely on Jonny Evans for long periods, we've had Wes Brown in there, while Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher have both had to be used at centre-back.

"But when you see Rio and Nemanja together you get the experience, the authority and that great understanding they have with each other.

"Edwin van der Sar coming back has been important as well. He was out with a long-term injury. But with those three back it makes an unbelievable difference.

"You saw that against AC Milan the other night. Any threat Milan had against us seemed to be snuffed out very early on.

"That's an indication of the authority they bring to the team and, pray to the Lord, they stay fit for the rest of the season."

Ferdinand, whose long-term back complaint has seen him make just 13 appearances for United this season, has been forced to change his training schedule to get back playing.

"I've had to adapt my training regime since before I got my injury," said Ferdinand. "That's obvious but it's what I expected. I knew I'd have to adapt.

"I'd have had to do that anyway. Once you get to 30 you have to adapt your training. I don't think negatively, I just think about staying positive and staying on the pitch."

Although United are in the Champions League quarter-finals and chasing down a fourth straight title, Ferdinand said they would not get carried away with what lies ahead.

"We were sitting in the dressing-room after the AC Milan game and if someone had come in there you wouldn't have thought we'd just beaten them 4-0 at home," said Rio.

"I think that speaks volumes as to where we are at as a team. We don't sit and dwell on individual victories. We look to the bigger picture, which is winning trophies.

"We're motivated by wanting to win trophies. This season we're in a decent position in the Premier League and in the next round of the Champions League.

"But we don't jump around and harp on about what we just achieved by beating Milan 4-0.

"It wasn't subdued in the dressing-room. There was a sense of achievement, yes, but not something we're dancing and jumping around about."