Ferguson hoping Vidic can ease defensive woes

Published on Wednesday 9 December 2009 09:25

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to welcome Nemanja Vidic back to his starting line-up and would be satisfied if the Serbian was the only man available to ease his injury-ravaged defence.

In total, Ferguson was without 14 senior men for last night's Champions League encounter with Wolfsburg, eight of them defenders.

Yet the Red Devils made light of the handicap, beating the German champions 3-1 at the Volkswagen Arena thanks to Michael Owen's hat-trick.

Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher joined Patrice Evra in an unrecognisable three-man defence and the midfielders seem set to remain in post as Wes Brown's hamstring injury is not responding to treatment.

Yet Ferguson is unconcerned about the ongoing problems, even though high-flying Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

"I expect Vidic to be fit and if he is available we would have him and Michael Carrick, plus Darren Fletcher and Patrice Evra," he said. "I would be happy enough with that."

Ferguson also expects to have Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov available.

Last night's win ensures United will face a runner-up in the knock-out phase next spring. But, while potential opponents already include AC Milan and Bayern Munich, playing the decisive second leg at Old Trafford should help.

It also means United avoided getting embroiled in what is sure to be a prolonged squabble over the failed drugs tests of two CSKA Moscow players, Alexei Berezutsky and Sergei Ignashevich, following their 3-3 draw with the Red Devils last month.

Although the defensive duo were suspended as CSKA beat Besiktas in Istanbul last night, it is the Russian side who should advance ahead of Wolfsburg.

However, Uefa regulations provide the power for expulsion and a disciplinary hearing is set for 17 December – the day before the last 16 draw – to determine the outcome, with Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh offering a very astute observation.

"This mess will take weeks to sort out," he said. "It is not a matter for me to comment on but for Uefa and we can only hope they will take the right decision."