LIVERPOOL - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the return of captain Nemanja Vidic from injury will be critical after the champions got back on track with a 1-0 victory at Everton.
Ferguson's side returned to winning ways on Saturday after last weekend's humiliating 6-1 home defeat against bitter rivals Manchester City.
Javier Hernandez got the only goal at Goodison Park to ensure United remain five points behind leaders City. Vidic, who missed that City game with a calf problem, starred against Everton and Ferguson expects the Serbian centre-back to be a key figure in the next few months after United's recent defensive troubles.
"It was a fantastic performance by Vidic," Ferguson said. "Every ball that came into our box he got clear and that's his speciality. He's a fantastic header of the ball and that was the key again here.
"The fact there have been so many chances against us recently we had to reduce that if we are going to win the league. It was no coincidence we didn't have any problems here."
Ferguson's relief at bouncing back from the City rout was intensified by the gritty nature of the victory. There has been plenty of criticism of United's defence in recent weeks, but they subdued a hostile crowd in impressive fashion to claim a fourth clean sheet in the league this season.
"We expect a hard game every time we come to Everton. The crowd get behind them and they show great enthusiasm," Ferguson said. "Winning 1-0, I'll take half a dozen of those any time because that's championship form when you get those kind of results."
Hernandez's fourth goal of the season was enough for United to earn their first win on Merseyside in four years. But the win came at a cost, with midfielder Tom Cleverley limping off with a recurring ankle injury. England defender Chris Smalling, who missed the game, will be sidelined for a month with a broken foot, while Ashley Young is also facing a spell out.
United host Romanian side Otelul Galati in the Champions League on Wednesday and the trio will be missing.
Vidic holds fort
LIVERPOOL - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the return of captain Nemanja Vidic from injury will be critical after the champions got back on track with a 1-0 victory at Everton.
Ferguson's side returned to winning ways on Saturday after last weekend's humiliating 6-1 home defeat against bitter rivals Manchester City.
Javier Hernandez got the only goal at Goodison Park to ensure United remain five points behind leaders City. Vidic, who missed that City game with a calf problem, starred against Everton and Ferguson expects the Serbian centre-back to be a key figure in the next few months after United's recent defensive troubles.
"It was a fantastic performance by Vidic," Ferguson said. "Every ball that came into our box he got clear and that's his speciality. He's a fantastic header of the ball and that was the key again here.
"The fact there have been so many chances against us recently we had to reduce that if we are going to win the league. It was no coincidence we didn't have any problems here."
Ferguson's relief at bouncing back from the City rout was intensified by the gritty nature of the victory. There has been plenty of criticism of United's defence in recent weeks, but they subdued a hostile crowd in impressive fashion to claim a fourth clean sheet in the league this season.
"We expect a hard game every time we come to Everton. The crowd get behind them and they show great enthusiasm," Ferguson said. "Winning 1-0, I'll take half a dozen of those any time because that's championship form when you get those kind of results."
Hernandez's fourth goal of the season was enough for United to earn their first win on Merseyside in four years. But the win came at a cost, with midfielder Tom Cleverley limping off with a recurring ankle injury. England defender Chris Smalling, who missed the game, will be sidelined for a month with a broken foot, while Ashley Young is also facing a spell out.
United host Romanian side Otelul Galati in the Champions League on Wednesday and the trio will be missing.
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