Veteran Vidic lined up for sensational Old Trafford return

Former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic is being lined up for a shock return to Old Trafford, as Louis van Gaal tries to ease the pressure off his injury-stricken defence. United are odds-on 1/4 with Coral to finish in the top four this season.

The Serbian centre back joined Inter Milan last summer after serving over eight seasons for the Red Devils, winning 15 major trophies in his time at the club.

Van Gaal has changed the fortunes of his United side this campaign, leading them to regaining a current Champions League spot, after securing five consecutive Premier League victories.

However, despite United’s current form, the Dutch manager has been extremely unfortunate with injuries to his defensive minded players, with senior central defenders Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones all having served long-term spells on the sidelines.

United’s injury crisis caused Van Gaal to dip into the youth team for backup, giving young centre backs Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett their first-team debuts this term.

Vidic, who bagged 21 goals in red, made 300 appearances for United during his eight-and-a-half-year spell with the club, and his return would certainly bolster Van Gaal’s depleted defensive options.

The transition from the Premier League to Serie A hasn’t been smooth for the Serbian, struggling to settle in to new surroundings in Italy, after a disastrous start to his career at the San Siro. Vidic was sent off on his domestic league debut for the Italian giants, and has since made only nine Serie A appearances, having fallen out of favour by new coach Roberto Mancini.

Mancini, who led Manchester City to a famous Premier League triumph over United in 2012, has regularly overlooked Vidic, opting for fellow centre back Juan Jesus instead, after his takeover as coach.

Veteran Vidic could offer a strong short-term solution for his former employers’ defensive problems, with a possible return home on the cards, as Van Gaal looks to strengthen his squad with a return to European football firmly in the Dutchman’s mind.

Rejuvenated United (12/1 to win the title) will face bitter rivals Liverpool this weekend, a game in which Vidic grabbed the winning goal in during the 2012/13 campaign, and the Serbian could soon be helping his former team mates again after a possible Red Devils return.