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Manchester City's Argentinian forward Carlos Tevez (R) is denied by Manchester United's Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and Manchester United's Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic (up) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at the City Of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, north-west England on April 17, 2010. (AFP)
Nemanja Vidic will have to do what few Manchester United captains have managed.
Come back and resurrect a career after not one, but two injury-hit seasons.
Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson suffered a huge setback after news emerged that Vidic is out for eight weeks after an operation on his right knee.
A United spokesman said: “Nemanja has had an operation on his knee and will be out for around eight weeks.”
The fact that the knee in question is the same one that suffered ligament damage last season raises serious questions about the 30-year old Serbian defensive powerhouse’s ability to continue at the top level.
There is also the fact that Vidic was far from his dominant self in the four games since her returned with United being susceptible to set pieces.
Sir Alex has been very clear that not having a fixed and regular central defensive pairing is the one thing that can cost United the title this season.
Defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have still to return from injury and Rio Ferdinand, just back after a calf injury, actually soldiered on against Liverpool after picking up a knock himself.
This leaves Johny Evans at the heart of it all and the possibility that Michael Carrick, who is only just coming up to speed in his midfield role, having to double as a centre back. Again.
Come January, Sir Alex might have been looking to buy a midfielder, but he may well have to buy a central defender.
Replacing someone of Vidic’s class and quality may not be easy.
However, there are a few centre-backs out there in the Premier League that despite their top form, are not automatic starters in their respective XIs.
Arsenal have Laurent Koscielny, who many thought, with Thomas Vermaelen, would be the preferred central defensive pairing for Arsene Wenger.
Instead Per Mertesacker gets the nod. And rightly so. The big Germans was anything but lumbering against Manchester City.
Then there is Joleon Lescott at Manchester City. Lescott has spoken about being dropped for City’s Champions League game raised doubts about his future at the Etihad.
The England centreback would fit like a glove at Old Trafford in a defensive pairing with Rio Ferdinand.
Ironically, both Koscielny and Lescott scored against each other.
This only ups the ante for United to have a look.
After all, United have looked toothless at corners ever since Vidic went missing.
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