Vidic sounds warning
Nemanja Vidic has warned of the pressures international duty can place on players in the Barclays Premier League.
Although concussion sustained in the Reds' victory over Wigan meant Vidic missed Serbia's Euro 2008 qualifiers this week – Saturday's 0-0 draw with Armenia and Wednesday's 6-1 win in Azerbaijan – the defender said many of his United team-mates will be tired after stints representing their countries.
Most players away on international duty will have boarded flights back to Manchester in the early hours of Thursday morning, but Friday's training session at Carrignton will be the only full run-out they'll have before Saturday's trip to Villa Park.
And Vidic says it's important to remember the effects of long-distance travel on the body. Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have both returned from Russia, Darren Fletcher from Georgia and Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani from Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez has been in South America representing Argentina in World Cup 2010 qualifiers.