Vidic hopes for winter revival

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic believes his side can mount a serious challenge on Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team are notoriously strong over the Christmas season, with statistics recently published showing United to have won more points than any other top-flight club in the December period since 2007.

Vidic has been sidelined for the remainder of the season after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament against Basel, but remains confident his team can once again find their winter form.

“Often we’ll play on Wednesday and then Saturday, Wednesday and then Saturday,” he told Inside United.

“This helps you get into a rhythm and training during this time is all about recovery and rest.”

“Physically, it’s easier on your body when you’re not travelling for international football.”

“If you’ve been away with your country it can sometimes take you two days to adjust when you get back to Manchester. Now, until February, all the players will be together and concentrating only on Manchester United.”

“We can work on a lot of different things together and focus ourselves for the end of the season. Traditionally we tend to do well over winter, our form tends to improve. Hopefully we can do the same this year.”

The Serbian defender arrived at Old Trafford from Spartak Moscow in 2005, and admits he found the transition to English football during winter difficult, having enjoyed a break over the period when in the Russian Premier League.

“December and January can be very difficult mentally, not just physically,” Vidic said.

“When you play so many games in one year without a break it can be very hard. There’s always pressure at this club, you have pressure to win this game and then the next game and then the game after that.”

“If you do that for one whole year without any rest, without any time to relax or take your mind off football, this can be tough. But, I have to say, when I arrived here in England I found the winter much more difficult. Now we all know what to expect.”