Fergie makes case for the defence

Alex Ferguson hailed the central defensive partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown as the key to Manchester United’s five-goal hammering of Wigan at Old Trafford last night.

After a month of trying to patch up his threadbare defence, Ferguson finally has two recognised central defenders available.

And the improvement has been clear to see as United followed up Sunday’s victory at Hull by turning in a five-star show against the Latics that allowed United to reach 2010 just two points adrift of leaders Chelsea and scenting another Barclays Premier League title.

“The key to both tonight and Sunday was having the two centre-halves back,” said Ferguson, who celebrates his 68th birthday today.

“Brown and Vidic were magnificent, as they were at Hull. If we get the rest of them back we have a magnificent chance because we are in great form.”

As Jonny Evans is in contention to face Leeds in the FA Cup on Sunday and Rio Ferdinand is not far behind the Northern Ireland star as he plots a comeback from a back injury, Ferguson could soon have his usual squad to choose from.