Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic will be fit for the start of the season, handing a huge boost to the Red Devils' title hopes.
Vidic missed the bulk of last season after rupturing a cruciate knee ligament in United's Champions League loss to FC Basel in December last year. Vidic stayed behind when United flew out to their pre-season tour to South Africa and China, raising concerns about the defender's comeback.
However, Ferguson confirmed the Serbian centerback was recovering well and would be available at the start of the season. "Vidic will start the season," Ferguson told the club's official website in Durban. "I am sure of that. He's doing good amounts of training but not in the competitive sense in the way the lads out here have done.
"It was pointless bringing him with us. He's back at Carrington with the facilities and the physios so he can get to the next level.
"By the time we come back, we hope he'll be at the competitive stage of his comeback."
United have taken only one senior defender - Rio Ferdinand - on the tour, with Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans also recovering from injuries. "Jonny Evans has had an operation," Ferguson said. "I'm not sure he'll start the season but he won't be far away.
"Chris Smalling has actually done a bit of training. But the ruptured groin muscle he suffered needed a lot of attention.
"He's making progress and we expect him to start the season."
United will play South African side AmaZulu on Wednesday and Ferguson said he would start with new signing Shinji Kagawa. "The priority is to get the experienced players fit but young players will play in each game. It's likely that Kagawa will start with Chicharito (Javier Hernandez).
"Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes will play. So too Anders Lindegaard, Lingard and Brady at left-back. Antonio Valencia will play."
Ferguson said he hoped Brady would make a mark at the position, as United are a little light after letting Fabio leave on loan to Queens Park Rangers. United have been heavily linked with a move for Leighton Baines of Everton, but Ferguson hopes Brady can fill in admirably and provide the needed cover for Patrice Evra. "Young Robbie Brady will be at left-back," the Scot said. "He's actually an outside-left but we believe there's the possibility he'll develop into a left-back.
"He was on loan last year at Hull City and did very well. He'll certainly figure at left-back. I don't know how many substitutes will be allowed -- we need to establish that -- but I'm sure we can be flexible. It's important the young players get a chance to play on such a big occasion.
"Left-back is an area which we're paying attention to. Patrice, in the last five years has played an average of 45-50 games. It's phenomenal. I don't know if anybody else has achieved that. He's still a fit lad and has the same drive and ambition. He's a fighter.
"Fabio went to QPR, which was so important for the boy because he has enormous ability, but he needs to play. Because Evra, touch wood, is never injured, the opportunities haven't been there for the boy. He played a few games last season but it's not enough for a young boy of 21 years. He needed to continue with his progress. With Fabio at QPR for a year, we're just a little short in that department.
"That's why we're trying Robbie Brady at left-back. We also have Tyler Blackett here - he's a big, strong boy, tall and quick going forward. But he's only just turned 18. He has time on his side but he's here for the experience and he may yet surprise us."
