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Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic will be reunited at the heart of Manchester United’s defence when they kick-off their Premier League campaign in less than three weeks, Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted. Captain Vidic has not played since last December, missing United’s title run-in with rivals Manchester City after suffering a cruciate knee ligaments injury.
Ferguson, who is hoping to avoid any new injuries, told the club’s official website: ‘Chris Smalling is out for 10 weeks with his metatarsal operation and Jonny Evans is still just in light training. They’re big losses at the moment and they will miss the start of the season.
‘Rafael is away [on international duty with Brazil at the Olympics] and Fabio is away on loan so there are four defensive players that we don’t have for the back four positions.
‘We do have Phil Jones, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, though. That will be the back four on tour.
‘Hopefully we don’t get any more injuries as it would leave me a bit short.’
United will then take on Barcelona in a sold-out friendly on Wednesday before taking on German outfit Hannover 96.
