Nemanja Vidic is ready to return for Manchester United

Nemanja Vidic could make a surprise comeback in Manchester United’s Champions League tie with Cluj at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The Serbia defender has been sidelined since having knee surgery in September and was not expected back until Christmas. But the United captain has returned to training ahead of schedule and manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: “It would be nice for him to play on Wednesday.

“We are not afraid of that. The best way is for us to leave it to Vida himself. He has the experience to know what is best for him and when the time is right to come back.”

Vidic had surgery on his right knee only five games into his comeback following ruptured cruciate ligaments the previous season.

Ferguson’s update on Nani, who has been missing since the beginning of the month with a hamstring injury, was less encouraging. He said: “He’ll be out for another four or five weeks.”

Antonio Valencia misses tomorrow’s trip to Reading with a hip injury.

Reading v Man Untited, tomorrow, 5.30pm, Live on ESPN