Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted to have Nemanja Vidic available again.

The United captain could return ahead of schedule from his ­latest injury against Romanian side Cluj at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Ferguson said: "I'm hopeful ­Nemanja will play against Cluj. It depends on him, but his training has been quite good and this is a big bonus for us.

"He has no pain in the knee from this injury and it's a different one from the last time so we have no long-term ­concerns.

"He's going to make a big difference for us in the second half of the season. He's a battler, an absolute competitor. He's got that dour, uncompromising way of his and he likes defending.

"He's good in the dressing room, as well. Experienced players have that influence. He is definitely a leader."