Sir Alex Confirms Team News Ahead Of Sunderland, Speaks On Sunderland Fans

Sir Alex Ferguson has reaffirmed Nemanja Vidic will play against Sunderland tomorrow and said there is a slim chance he may even start.

The defender has been out with a knee injury since September and his comeback can’t have come sooner as Jonny Evans, a mainstay in United’s back 4 this season, will miss the game with hamstring injury picked up in the derby last weekend.

Shinji Kagawa had been training and making good progress according to Sir Alex whilst Nani remains out with the injury picked up against SC Braga back in October.

“Nemanja Vidic is back in the squad tomorrow. Jonny Evans is out with the hamstring injury from last week. Chris Smalling came on and did very well. Shinji Kagawa is back in training and doing very well. Nani is still out.”

Speaking specifically about Vidic Sir Alex said of his returning captain:

“It’s a big, big win to have him back in the squad – his ability to head the ball, his captaincy. We hope we’ve given him the proper rehab. We’ll give him a chance and we hope he sails through it. I don’t know whether he will start tomorrow – he’s only played about 10 games in the last 12 months, which is not like Nemanja.”

Sir Alex also spoke on his disappointment in the reaction of Sunderland’s fans on the final day of last season but accepts it was more foolish than malicious:

“Their fans’ reaction on the last day was disappointing. When you think about the players we’ve given them over the years, including Evans and Simpson, who helped them win promotion. I don’t think it was malicious from their fans, just foolishness; they were just enjoying the moment.”