Scot admits that time is running out for both defenders.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that the club’s legendary central-defensive partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic is nearing the end of its road.
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Red Devils skipper Vidic did not feature for United in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at Real Madrid on Wednesday night having played the previous Sunday in the Premier League against Everton.
And the Scot said that the three-day break between the two vital fixtures was just not enough for the 31-year-old Serbian to start in the Spanish capital, with Jonny Evans taking his place in the heart of the defence alongside the 34-year-old Ferdinand.
“I had my doubts about whether I was doing the right thing or not because he was fantastic against Everton, but I stuck by what we’ve been doing with him,” Ferguson said in the Sun.
“Three days to my mind was a risk.
“It would have been the same for Ferdinand.
“If he had played on the Sunday I would have had my doubts whether to play him on Wednesday.
“Jonny has emerged as a real top defender and his form has been fantastic.
“The thing about young players, particularly defenders, when you get consistency from them you know you’re on the right track with them.
“I think Jonny has shown great consistency in the last year.
“If you remember what I said about last year, it wasn’t until Ferdinand and Evans played regularly together that we got a run going.”
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