Vidic never doubted United’s ability to bounce back

Nemanja Vidic never had any doubt Manchester United would shrug off his season-ending absence and make a strong defence of their Premier League title.

When Vidic was stretchered off with ruptured cruciate ligaments against Basle in December as United crashed out of the Champions League, there were many who believed their entire campaign would be a disaster.

Already trailing to a rampant Manchester City, with Wayne Rooney and David de Gea amongst the most notable central figures struggling for form and their captain now sidelined, it was hard to see what positives would emerge from the wreckage of a devastating European exit.