Vidic hammer blow for Reds

MANCHESTER United entertain Wolves in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow knowing they are likely to be without key defender Nemanja Vidic for the rest of the season.

Vidic suffered a serious knee injury during Wednesday night's shock Champions League defeat in Basle.

And word from Old Trafford is that Vidic has suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament.

If the worst is confirmed by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson at today's press conference, it would inevitably rule Vidic out for the remainder of the campaign and cause major damage to United's hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

The Serbian's return from a calf problem sustained in the opening day win at West Brom was cited by many as the moment United's defensive difficulties began to ease.

Despite repeated suggestions the player would leave Old Trafford, Vidic remains one of the key figures in Ferguson's squad and his absence will place additional focus on the younger players such as Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, who were exposed in Switzerland on Wednesday night. But experienced defender Rio Ferdinand insists the Red Devils will recover.

"We are definitely good enough to bounce back," he said. "It is only a couple of weeks ago people were saying we were going to be champions and we were going to do this and that. It doesn't change after one night in Europe. We have a lot of players here with valuable experience. That will come into play now.

"I have no worries or qualms about this weekend coming. We will be up for it."



WAYNE Rooney’s three-match ban for England has been cut to two following an appeal by the FA.

It means Rooney will be available for the third group game of Euro 2012 against Ukraine.



MANCHESTER City will be without Micah Richards (calf injury) on Monday night when they try to

consolidate their bid for Premier League success. The unbeaten leaders go to Chelsea for a match crucial to their title ambitions.