Vidic: Next few months are important to avoid injury setbacks

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic says that the next three months will be crucial in determining his recovery from serious knee injuries.

The tough-tackling center back injured three main ligaments in his knee against FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League last December, and he damaged the same area once again while training in September, further delaying his comeback.

United plans on taking a safety-first approach to Vidic's recovery, and although his schedule is dictated by medical staff, the 31-year-old is ready to get his career back on track and lead the club to glory. He made his return to the field from a three-month layoff on Dec. 15 as a substitute against Sunderland and has started two of the following three games for the Red Devils.

"The doctor is managing the games I am playing at the moment," Vidic told the club's official television station MUTV. "Over the first two or three months I have to really look at that, because sometimes I might have a reaction. This is a process I have to go through."

Table-topping United leads Premier League champion Manchester City by seven points going into the new year, and after finally returning to the starting XI, Vidic says he is simply happy to be playing and improving his game once again.

"I am glad I have managed to play after three months," Vidic said. "It is nice to be on the pitch and playing games. "Hopefully I can play more often so I can build my form and play better."

Sir Alex Ferguson's side travels to Wigan on New Year's Day looking to extend the advantage at the top of the table, while City hosts Stoke.