 | VIDIC BACK TO BOLSTER DEFENCE Nemanja Vidic will return for United on Saturday against Wigan, but that good news was offset by confirmation that Rio Ferdinand will be out for up to a month.
Sir Alex confirmed the return of one of his favoured central defenders on Friday, but conceded that a minor muscle tear in Rio's thigh will keep him out for "hopefully three, but maybe four" weeks.
"We don't have any new injuries from Wednesday night . They're all fit," Ferguson told his pre-match press conference.
"The one position we're hoping for an improvement in is with Vidic. He's trained now for 10 days and he is ready for a game. Hopefully he'll be OK for Saturday.
"Gary Neville played 15 minutes at Burnley and he could be ready too, and that gives us experience at an important time after the defeat on Wednesday."
In Neville and Vidic, Sir Alex will welcome back plenty of experience into a defensive unit that has been shorn of familiarity so far this season.
"Experience is important," the Reds boss added. "And the kind of experience that Gary brings is great for us, while Vidic's performance levels since he's been with us have been outstanding. We'll get that back on Saturday and that'll help us."
More: Watch out Wigan | Today at Old Trafford | Betting preview | | | | | |  | MY UNITED: MATTHEW HATTON
Ricky's welterweight brother is a proud Red, as Inside United found out...
When did you first start supporting United? We used to live in a pub called The New Inn in Hattersley – I was about six years old at the time. My dad – who used to play for City – had taken me to Maine Road a few times with Ricky. Then a customer gave me a tiny enamel United badge. I was fascinated by it and it sparked an interest. I asked my dad to take me to Old Trafford – he kept putting it off, but one day he finally took me. From then on I was hooked. Was it difficult being the only Red in the family on derby day? Yes it was – but I absolutely love derby day. I'm not anti-City – whenever they get relegated I'm gutted. But on derby day I want us to absolutely drum them. The amount of stick I get from the rest of the family is unbelievable.
Would you like to fight at Old Trafford? That would be my dream. I'm fighting for the world title this year, but to do it at OT would be unbelievable. If I continue fighting as I have been, get that IBO belt and draw one of the big names in the welterweight division, perhaps it could happen.
What are your hopes for the season? I think we can win the league again, but I would like us to go one better and win the Champions League too. We had a great season last year and I think it's well within our reach to achieve those two goals.
Read the full interview in Inside United, out now.
| | | | | | | TEST YOUR REDS KNOWLEDGE
See how many of these teasers from United Review's "almost impossible United quiz" you can answer without resorting to the internet for help...
1. Which of United's all-time opponents are first and last alphabetically?
2. Before his two-game stint at United during the 1995/96 season, William Prunier (left) bought out his contract with which French club?
3. Which member of United's senior squad has scored against the Reds – as an opposing player – in the Champions League?
4. Who scored the Reds' first goal in the European Cup Winners' Cup?
5. And who scored the last?
6. Which current squad member is a former Ballon d'Or winner, and in which year did he win it?
7. Peter Schmeichel scored legitimately against Rotor Volgograd in the UEFA Cup, but against which club did he have a goal disallowed?
Stumped? Read the answers on ManUtd.com.
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