Vidic's injury issues began when he suffered ligament damage in his right knee during a Champions League tie against Basel. He missed the remainder of the campaign and required another operation in September after complaining of tightness in the knee. The centre-back returned to action in mid-December and has appeared in 10 of United's last 16 games in all competitions, including the win at lowly QPR on Saturday, which maintained the club's charge towards a record 20th domestic league title.
Ferguson could be without nine first-team players for this weekend's visit of Wolves, a game in which victory would lift the club to within two points of leaders Manchester City, with their rivals playing Chelsea on Monday. Michael Owen, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Fabio, Rafael and Javier Hernandez are among those on the sidelines, while winger Ashley Young looked to have aggravated his toe injury against Basel where he was substituted in the second half.
Striker Dimitar Berbatov, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, missed the Champions League game but could return against Wolves. Despite a long injury list and questions being raised about the quality of the squad, Ferguson insists the club will prove doubters wrong. These [players] will be the foundation of the club in a few years' time.
Time will prove us right. For the latest updates and reaction to this story, read Sportsday Live. They are currently in a pretty strong position in the League and the Champions League and they only need to sustain the level of performances we have seen in the last month to do well till Christmas. Once Smalling and Jones return to the squad, there will also be enough options at centre-back. Vidic's return, however, would become critical once United enter the business end of the season.
His experience will be invaluable both in the league and also in the knockout stages of the Champions League, especially if United are drawn against some of Europe's big guns. Therefore, it is imperative that the club's medical staff and Vidic himself concentrate on the player returning to full fitness, even if it delays his return by a few weeks. A fully fit Nemanja Vidic is critical to Manchester United's trophy aspirations and the club must ensure there is no recurrence of any injury once he makes his comeback.
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