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Vidic doubtful for United's trip to Nou Camp

23/04/2008

Central defender Nemanja Vidic is considered a serious doubt for Manchester United's Champions League tie at Barcelona.

The Serbian international was rushed to hospital after contracting a stomach bug, according to reports from Spain, and is only rated at 50-50 to recover in time to face the Catalan giants tonight.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men travelled to the Nou Camp earlier this week but Vidic was forced to miss a full training session yesterday after complaining of discomfort, thought to be related to the knee injury he sustained in the last round.

The centre-back returned to the United first team for the 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and played the full 90 minutes.

But if he is ruled out of the Champions League semi-final first leg then John O'Shea, Wes Brown or even regular captain Gary Neville - who is himself on the comeback trail after 12 months out - could be called on to fill in.

Ferguson's selection headache over his midfield may be made worse by the fact that Brown, who is currently the first-choice right-back, was also forced to sit out the side's final training session.

The England man was restricted to gentle jogging and light exercises while his team-mate were put through their paces on the Nou Camp pitch.

Ahead of the game, however, Ferguson's focus was on his side's attacking threat away from home rather than shutting up shop at the back.

"We have to score [in the Nou Camp]," the United boss told MUTV.

"If we do, that means we have a good chance as the atmosphere at Old Trafford [in the return leg] will be electric.

"On so many occasions over the years, I've referred to the fans as the 12th man. We want to make sure it's a real sea of red and white and if we can do that we have a big, big chance.

"There have been times when there's been a great harmony between the players and the supporters.

"We need top volume from the fans. When they do that, we respond."