Vidic injured as United crash out
December 08, 2011 08:35:17 UK
Sir Alex Ferguson will have to contemplate life in the Europa League.Nemanja Vidic could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being stretchered from the pitch during Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to Basel.
The result ended United's interest in this season's Champions League but Vidic's injury could also have an impact on their attempt to retain the Premier League trophy, something they can be backed at 7.50 to do.
Serbian defender Vidic twisted his right knee in a challenge with Basel striker Marco Streller a minute before the break in Switzerland and was replaced by Jonny Evans.
Sir Alex Ferguson fears Vidic has suffered medial ligament damage, but the 30-year-old central defender will have a scan to determine the extent of the problem.
Of course we're disappointed, there's no other way you can feel.
Sir Alex Ferguson
United only needed to draw their final Group C game in Switzerland to book their place in the last 16 of the competition but fell behind in the ninth minute when Streller opened the scoring.
Wayne Rooney went close to equalising before Alexander Frei doubled Basel's lead with a late header.
Phil Jones halved the deficit but it proved to be too little too late for United, who will be playing in the Europa League in the new year. They are 1213.00 to win Europe's secondary competition and 1213.00 to claim the FA Cup this season.
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Ferguson admitted after the defeat: "Of course we're disappointed, there's no other way you can feel. It's part of football. You have to deal with the disappointment, and this club has used it as motivation many times.
"The (Europa League) is a competition I've never been in with United. It does mean one thing, it's right through Thursdays and Sundays, so that's got to be dealt with.
"It's not the best. That's our penalty for not qualifying."
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