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VIDIC SET FOR A WELCOME RETURN
United's preparations for a tough trip to Goodison Park received a boost on Friday morning when Sir Alex Ferguson declared Nemanja Vidic fit to return.
The midweek win in Milan was the ninth consecutive game to be missed by the Serbian defender, but he could now restart his season against in-form Everton.
"It's welcome news," said Sir Alex at his Friday lunch-time press conference. "He's trained very well in the last two weeks and is ready to come into the squad."
Vidic's availability will help compensate for the continued absence of Rio Ferdinand - Saturday's clash completes his four-match domestic ban, so the new England captain will be eligible for Tuesday's home game against West Ham.
Nani is also still suspended for Saturday, following his red card at Aston Villa, while Ryan Giggs is sidelined by the arm fracture he sustained in the same game.
Kicking off at 12:45, the Reds have a chance to reclaim top spot in the league (at least until Chelsea travel to Wolves at 15:00) but Sir Alex knows his side will need to be at their very best to overcome the Toffees.
"It’ll be a very difficult game," he insisted. "Everton’s win over Chelsea shows you the potential of their team. If we get a result I think it would be a very important one."
More: Press conference video
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ANDERSON BACK IN ACTION
FA Premier Reserve League: United 2 Everton 0
(Image taken from MUTV's live match broadcast.)
Anderson completed an impressive hour as United's Reserves strolled to victory over Everton through goals from Mame Biram Diouf and Cameron Stewart. The Brazilian international ran the midfield during his time on the pitch at Altrincham, providing the inspiration behind countless attacks and laying on Diouf's opener. This immediately followed Everton's Adam Forshaw heading against Ben Foster's post - the ball ricocheted to Possebon, Anderson burst through midfield and slipped a perfect pass through for Diouf to bury a low left-footed drive. Within three minutes, United's lead was doubled. Gabriel Obertan advanced on goal, meandered right and slipped a pass to Stewart infield. The latter neatly fashioned space for himself before drilling a low shot inside the far post. A strong Reserves side also featured Rodrigo Possebon's return in a tidy midfield display. However, Fabio's involvement was curtailed after just five minutes by Shane Duffy's hard but fair challenge.
United: Foster; De Laet, C Evans, Gill, Fabio (R Brown, 9); Stewart, Norwood, Anderson (Wootton, 60), Possebon, Obertan; Diouf (Brandy, 64). Subs not used: Zieler, Moffatt.
More: Read the full report and watch the goals on ManUtd.com. | | | | |  |
BLOG OF THE WEEK: MILAN MADNESS
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it is better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”
Marilyn Monroe said that, although it may well have been Sir Alex Ferguson after Tuesday's see-sawing battle at San Siro.
The Reds went behind via a deflection, then levelled courtesy of a gigantico slice of fortune before the break (not since Giggsy's contribution late in the 1999 Champions League final has a United mis-kick been quite so effective). Then Wayne Rooney scored two headers – the second of which he could have brought down and taken three touches before backheeling into the net, such was the lax Milan marking – and United, in the manager’s words, were “coasting”.
Five minutes from time, however, the Reds allowed Clarence Seedorf to steal in and pull a goal back with an outrageous flick. Milan were back in the tie. Oh yes, and there was still time for Michael Carrick to be sent off for the most petty of crimes.
Exciting? Sure. Football at its finest? Yes… and no. The match ebbed and flowed, the pendulum of power swinging from Milan to Manchester and back again more times than the master puppeteer Ronaldinho went to ground looking for a free-kick. But the excitement – the nail-biting drama and tension football fans only feel a few times a season – was only possible thanks to football’s imperfections.
More: Read Nick Coppack's full blog on ManUtd.com.
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