Nemanja Vidic ruled out of Manchester United's Champions League fixture against Cluj

Captain has been out since September

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Nemanja Vidic will not be involved in Manchester United's Champions League encounter with Cluj at Old Trafford tomorrow.

On Friday, United boss Ferguson said there was a chance Vidic could be in the squad following knee surgery in September and the 31-year-old did train at Carrington this morning.

However, tomorrow's game will come too early in his recovery and he will not be considered for Sunday's Manchester derby either.

"I do not think he will play," said Ferguson.

"He feels he needs another few days' training. He will not play in the derby if he doesn't play tomorrow, although I wasn't considering him for Sunday anyway."

Ferguson also confirmed Japan international Shinji Kagawa had returned to training after his own knee injury and there is an outside chance he could be involved at the weekend.

"He's showing good promise now. It is much better and I don't think he is far away," said Ferguson.

Meanwhile, Ferguson confirmed that while he will make changes to his line up tomorrow, Wayne Rooney will be in his starting XI.

"It has always been the case that Wayne needs to be playing games to get his match fitness," said Ferguson.

"He is a really strongly built lad. If he misses a game he needs three to come back."

Ferguson also spoke about United's Kamikaze defending, which has seen them concede an incredible 32 goals already this season, including another three at Reading on Saturday.

"Cartoon Cavalcade," said the Scot. "It is a concern.

"We are getting punished for every ball that goes into our box at the moment but we should be defending far better. We expect to do better.

"It is a worry. If we perform like that on Sunday God knows what is going to happen to us."

PA

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Caption competition
Caption competition
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Sport blogs

Brits on fire in the wet at Le Mans!

Wow - what a weekend for British Motorcycle racing!

by Luke Wilkins

iBet: Bale and Rooney transfer specials

The dust is barely settling on the Premier League season and the bookies are looking to persuade us ...

by Gareth Purnell

A changing of the guards in English football: From Sir Alex Ferguson to Jose Mourinho

The guard has changed at Old Trafford for the first time in 26 years. Meanwhile, down the road, the ...

by The Sports Lawyer

       
Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death
Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Lions' cub, 20, joins long line of players from Scottish borders club Hawick given opportunity to make his mark at highest level
Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch

Steve Bunce on Boxing

Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch against Mikel Kessler
'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell