United need Vidic back now to ensure their brilliant form continues

By David McDonnell

Published 11:32 04/10/11

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It says everything about Manchester United's famed resilience, not to mention their squad strength, that they remain top of the table despite having been without arguably their most important player since the start of the season.

So far this season, Nemanja Vidic has played just 52 minutes, a calf injury sustained at West Brom on the opening weekend of the campaign having ruled him out since that game on August 14.

United lost Rio Ferdinand that day too, the initial prognosis being that he would be out for longer than Vidic, whose enforced absence was expected to amount to a manageable couple of weeks.

Further assessment of Vidic's injury meant a re-evaluation of that timescale, with the United skipper now having been out for seven weeks and still not back in full training, while Ferdinand returned after four weeks.

After wobbling defensively in their two most recent games, against Basle and Norwich, and having seen Chelsea plunder 19 attempts on goal in United's 3-1 win at Old Trafford, the return of Vidic cannot come quickly enough for Ferguson's side.

With the exception of the irrepressible Wayne Rooney, Vidic is perhaps United's most influential player.

The authority, composure and reliability he brings to their defence noticeably absent when his name is not on the teamsheet.

United have missed the commanding influence of the aggressive and imposing Vidic at the back, despite the impressive performances of teenager Phil Jones, who has been a revelation since making his £16million summer move from Blackburn.

On the eve of the Norwich match, Ferguson said Vidic would have to do "a lot of training before he is considered for that game", 'that game' being United's next one - away to arch-rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.

With Andy Carroll set to provide a physical test for United's defence at Anfield, it is imperative Vidic is back for that encounter, as Jonny Evans lacks the physique to deal with the robust threat posed by the Liverpool striker.

Ferguson would no doubt feel a lot more comfortable going to Anfield with a central defensive pairing of Vidic and Jones. Or the trusted partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand, with Jones at right-back and Patrice Evra in his customary left-back role.

And with a top-of-the-table showdown with title rivals and neighbours Manchester City a week later at Old Trafford, United need Vidic back to marshal his defence for what could prove to be the defining period of their season.

When addressing Vidic's prolonged lay-off a couple of weeks ago, Ferguson mentioned a similar injury suffered by Bryan Robson, which kept the legendary former United captain out for three months.

United can only hope Vidic does not suffer the same fate as Robson, for so much this season depends on the swift return of their current Captain Marvel.

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