With Rio Ferdinand's worrying back problem flaring up again, Nemanja Vidic will be a key figure in the remainder of the season as the champions bid to retain the title and reach their third consecutive Champions League final.
neTToboy and his idol, Nemanja Vidic ;p
Despite the major doubts over his long-term future at Old Trafford, Vidic needs to stay fit for Sir Alex Ferguson in the run-in. On why Vidic is key figure for Man U?..We'll let the statistic speak for Vidic.
Opta stats show the first-choice pairing of Ferdinand and Vidic have conceded 0.88 goals per game when in tandem over the past two seasons.
It must be considered that they would often figure in the most difficult matches but the duo, who have not been side by side in United's defence since October, are not the best option statistically.
Revealingly, Vidic and Jonny Evans have the best average points haul (2.71) and defensive record (0.29 goals per game).
Second best is the pairing of Vidic and Wes Brown (0.57 goals per game).
Obviously other factors need to be taken into account and it's not all down to the centre-back partnership but what is clear, even without the statistical evidence, is that Ferguson cannot afford to field Brown and Evans in the middle together on a regular basis.
Brown and Evans appear less secure when Ferguson is forced to partner them at the heart of the back-four. The 3-1 defeat at Everton provided further evidence of the lack of protection they offer Edwin van der Sar and led to inevitable questions as to why Vidic, who was an unused substitute, wasn't risked instead.
Brown and Evans have the worst record of all the pairings - United have collected an average of only 1.56 points per game in their nine matches in tandem.
If Vidic does depart in the summer, he will leave a massive hole in the United defence with Ferdinand still needing to prove his fitness problems are behind him.
England Under-21 rookie Chris Smalling will have huge shoes to fill if he doesn't find the Serbian in the dressing room when he completes his move from Fulham.
United are clearly more secure with the 28-year-old in the side and it's vital he strings together a long run of games if the Red Devils are to achieve their goals this term.
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