Vidic may make debut in Cup

Nemanja Vidic could make his Manchester United debut in the FA Cup at non-League Burton Albion.

The 24-year-old is only a work permit away from completing his move to Old Trafford.

Vidic has passed his medical and agreed terms, so, with United agreeing a fee with Spartak Moscow for the Serbia and Montenegro international on Christmas Day, only the final piece of red tape needs to be cleared for him to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad.

Providing everything goes as anticipated, he should be available to face Burton Albion in the televised third round tie on January 8.

Ferguson will be glad to have sorted out his first piece of business so early in the transfer window.

The United boss, who today restated his desire to continue the progression of his current side beyond the end of the season, has identified a significant flaw in his defensive strength.

With Mikael Silvestre struggling for form and Wes Brown still trying to get a consistent run in the side because of an horrendous run of injuries, United have looked shaky at the back and Ferguson believes the arrival of Vidic, a member of the ‘famous four’ Serbian back line which conceded just once of their way to next summer’s World Cup Finals, will solve the problem.

Although they boast the fourth best defensive record in the Barclays Premiership, their 16 goals conceded is twice as many as Chelsea, one of the major reasons behind the 11-point gap between the two clubs at the halfway stage of the season.

Never was the difference in quality better emphasised than on Wednesday, when Chelsea came through a stern examination by Manchester City with their rearguard in tact, eventually sealing victory thanks to Joe Cole’s late winner.

At the same time, United were losing two precious points at relegation-threatened Birmingham, twice tossing away the lead as they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.

While Silvestre and Brown – who both missed the midlands trip – are available for today’s clash with Bolton, one, or both appear to be living on borrowed time at United, with Vidic earmarked as Rio Ferdinand’s regular partner once he gets a grasp of the English language.