The Football - Fergie confident Vidic Will Play in Early Season

The Football - Nemanja Vidic has long been sidelined by a knee injury. He is now trying to recover himself and Sir Alex Ferguson believes Serbian defender could play early in the season.

Vidic get injured when playing against FC Basel in the Champions League in December 2011. Since then, he was escorted out for Manchester United's defense. Without it, the 'Red Devils' competing with Manchester City - by both teams the same points - but lost the title on the final day of competition.

Fergie's Vidic was brought to South Africa, where MU begin their pre-season tour. He left at Carrington with the physiotherapist to recover from injury. Nevertheless, there is the possibility that Serbia defender was able to join Manchester United pre-season tour when they return to Europe.

"Vidic will play at the beginning of the season. I'm sure of that," said Ferguson as quoted by Sportinglife.

"He did a lot of practice, but not in a competitive level. So, it's useless to bring him here. He better stay in Carrington, with all the facilities and the physiotherapist to make it back to the best level," said the Scottish manager.

Another case with Jonny Evans. Northern Ireland defender has to be up to the operating table to heal his ankle injury. Fergie also said Evans will miss the start of the season.

"Jonny should have surgery. I'm not sure he will play at the beginning of the season. But, I think the absence will not be long."

The Football - MU Minim Central defender in Pre-Season Preparation

The Football - Manchester United through the pre-season preparations with a minimal amount of central defender. Only Rio Ferdinand is the only major central defender who fit the team.

In addition to Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling has not been able to play in preseason games, including when the 'Red Devils' preparing trial match in Durban, South Africa. Evans need surgery to heal his ankle injury and doubtful at the start of the season.

Meanwhile, Nemanja Vidic has not fully recovered from injuries he suffered last season and Phil Jones was given a rest after Euro 2012.

Vidic is rumored to be joining the new when MU had a trial match in Europe. While he was absent, Ferdinand will be accompanied by a defender of the reserves team, such as Frederic Veseli (19 years), Marnick Vermijl (20), and Scott Wootton (20).

Ferdinand himself admitted enthusiastically welcomed the pre-season preparations.

"It felt good to be back playing again," he said as reported by the Mirror.

"When you see the game schedule, you can not wait to make plans about the new season. You start working on what's on your mind."

"The way we ended last season (losing on the last day of the Manchester City), the sooner we start the season the better," he said.