Nemanja Vidic had today claimed that he hopes he will be available to play in United’s first game of the season after missing six months of last season with a cruciate ligament injury.

“Hopefully, I’ll be fit for the big kick-off,” said Vidic. “I can now run and do some things on the pitch which is better for me psychologically because for the last four months it’s been every day in the gym, which is hard. But the worst part is behind me. I can look forward to the second half of the rehabilitation and work more on my fitness.”