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Friday Kickoff: Vidic out for season, Tigres take Apertura final lead and more

Vidic (Reuters Pictures)

Manchester United's week has gone from bad to worse.

After being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in the group stage, United got word Friday that centerback Nemanja Vidic will miss the remainder of the season after suffering ligament damage in his right knee.

Vidic suffered the injury at the end of the first half of United's UCL finale against FC Basel Wednesday while battling Marco Streller for the ball. He immediately collapsed to the ground and waved for help before being stretchered off the field.

Sir Alex Ferguson has Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans as options to pair with Rio Ferdinand at central defense in Vidic's place.

Here are a few more stories to get your day going:

TIGRES TAKE APERTURA FINAL LEAD

Tigres UANL are 90 minutes away from a Mexican championship after taking a 1-0 result at Santos Laguna Thursday night.

Tigres failed to take advantage of an early red card to Juan Pablo Rodriguez that came midway through the first half but will return home knowing that a win or a draw in Sunday's second leg will deliver the club's first domestic title since the 1981-82 season.

Damian Alvarez scored the goal in the eighth minute for Tigres, which did not have U.S. defender Jonathan Bornstein on the gameday roster.

UNIVERSIDAD HAS SUDAMERICANA EDGE

Like Tigres, Universidad de Chile went on the road and came away with a 1-0 victory in a final, doing so against Ecuador's LDU Quito in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana championship.

Eduardo Vargas' goal at the end of the first half gives Universidad the edge as it returns home, where it will look to cement a place in the upcoming Copa Libertadores competition.

WILSHERE EYES JANUARY RETURN

Arsenal has turned its season around after a rocky start, and the club should receive a boost next month, as Jack Wilshere appears set to return from injury

Wilshere has yet to play for the Gunners this season after suffering an ankle injury while playing for England this summer. The 19-year-old midfielder underwent surgery in September and is on schedule with his rehab to come back on the turn of the calendar.

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How big of a blow is the loss of Vidic to United's Premier League title hopes? Do you see Santos Laguna coming back to win the Mexican title? Think Universidad holds on for the Sudamericana crown? How do you see Wilshere fitting into Arsenal's lineup when he returns?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Maybe now we’ll see Jones in his best position. The kid was out of place in midfield. Barring any incoming transfers in January (or more injuries), ManU should be able to keep Smalling at right back and Jones and Ferdinand at center back. Certainly preferable to starting Johnny Evans…

    I’m not sure why Darren Fletcher has not been getting playing time. He’s proven himself to be more than capable (actually rather good) at defensive midfield. If I’m Fergie (I wish), I’d trot this lineup out there:

    ————-Welbeck————
    ———-Rooney—————-
    Nani———–Park———Young
    ————–Fletcher———–
    Evra—Jones—Ferdinand—Smalling
    ————Lindegaard———-

    This squad is good enough to compete for the Prem without having to go out and get someone like Wesley Sneijder. However, depth is the biggest issue, especially on defense.

    Reply
  2. rapid decline of Vidic at United, we’re witnessing.

    -retires from international duty
    -less & less first team action
    -season ending injury to knee

    Reply

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