Man Utd Match Centre
Man Utd Injury & Team News Update: Vidic, Kagawa, Evans & More…
Man Utd play Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday looking to extend their lead at the top of the table and Fergie has given an injury update ahead of the game.
Manchester United welcome Sunderland to Old Trafford on Saturday looking to extend their lead at the top of the table, and Sir Alex Ferguson has given an injury and team news update to ManUtd.com ahead of the game.
The United manager gave the latest on Nemanja Vidic, Jonny Evans, Shinji Kagawa, Nani and Rio Ferdinand at his weekly press conference and the big news is that Vidic is back in the squad and in contention this weekend.
The United captain has been restricted to just 10 appearances over the last year or so due to knee trouble but he has been training well and Ferguson feels it’s a big boost to have the defender back, but isn’t sure whether he will start him or not.
If Vidic does come in, he will replace Evans who’s been ruled out with a hamstring injury, but if the Serb fails to make the starting line-up Chris Smalling is likely to continue alongside Rio Ferdinand – who Ferguson says is fine to play this weekend.
Nani remains out with a hamstring strain but midfielder Kagawa is due to resume training with the rest of the first team squad on Monday after recovering from a knee injury. Here is what Fergie told Man Utd’s official website:
“Nemanja is back in the squad tomorrow but Jonny Evans is out obviously after his injury last week,”
“He got the injury midway through the first half and he struggled on to half-time but I always think with muscle injuries that if you start the second half with it it’s a problem.”
“Chris Smalling came on and did very well, played excellent. But having Vida back in the squad is a big, big one for us. My only issue is whether to start him or not. We hope we have given Nemanja the proper rehabilitation. We’ll give him a chance and we hope he sails through it but I don’t know whether he will start. He’s only played 10 games in the last 12 month which is not like Nemanja.”
“Shinji should start training with the first team on Monday, which is good news,” added the boss.
“He’s doing very well now. Nani is still out. Rio’s okay, there’s no problem with him. We’re more or less in good shape.”
How much difference will having Vidic back make to Man Utd? Get involved in the comments section.
