Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says skipper Nemanja Vidic could play in next week's Champions League dead rubber against Cluj.

Vidic has endured a torrid 18 months. After suffering a calf injury that kept him out for over two months at the beginning of last season, the 31-year-old then ruptured cruciate ligaments against Basle in December that prevented him from playing again in the entire campaign.

Vidic returned in pre-season but after only five games he complained of feeling tightness in the knee again and after a further examination was forced to undergo surgery in the middle of September.

"He has started training, which is good news," said Ferguson.

"He has not been involved in the real competitive part but he has done OK.

"For the last year-and-a-half he has probably only played 10 or 12 games (13) or something like 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 for him to come back into the team.

"He would be short of match practice but I wouldn't be averse to playing him on Wednesday."