Vidic returns for Gunners trip

Rooney9 SG

CHIELLINI: Always strong in the tackle

Both Manchester clubs have been tracking the Juventus defender this season and the player's agent, Davide Lippi, was present at the Carling Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

United boss Ferguson has given up on convincing £25million-rated Vidic to stay beyond this campaign and is now hot favourite to snap up Chiellini, 25, for £12m.

Fergie is prepared to wait for the Italian, who becomes available at the end of the season, but City chief Roberto Mancini wants to boost his squad now.

Mancini is keen to deliver silverware this term and also wants to bolster his side's push for the crucial fourth spot in the Premier League.

The player is settled with the Italian giants but is open to prospect of testing himself in the Premier League.

The failure of Serie A strugglers to gain Champions League football after dropping out of the title chase so early will make it even harder for the club to hold on to their star stopper.

CKeer SG

A good piece of news indeed, Chiellini is young and is a good leader. He takes pretty good freekicks and penalty too.

Rooney9 SG

he should be replacement for rio not vidic, sigh. rio is getting old and is injury prone for the last few seasons. clearly rio is not the same defender as age and injuries have taken a toll.

iceFatboy SG

hmm, why is MU "strengthening" potential rivals??

Rooney9 SG

Nemanja Vidic is likely to start against Arsenal on Sunday, in what Sir Alex Ferguson describes as "the biggest game of the season."

Vidic has missed United's last six game with a nerve problem in his right leg, but he's set to replace the suspended Rio Ferdinand for the clash with Arsene Wenger’s men.

“Everyone has come through Wednesday’s game, which is good news,” the boss told reporters on Friday morning at Carrington.

“Obviously we’re going to miss Rio because of his ban, but other than that, they’re all fit.

“The game is, to my mind looking at how the league is shaping up, is the biggest game of the season for us. With Arsenal going on a consistent run, it’s amazing how this league has changed. The team that is the most consistent will win the league now.

“Arsenal’s current form has been very good, so it’s a massive game for us. If Chelsea win their game in hand on us then they can go four points in front.

"We’re playing catch-up with that part of it, but Sunday’s game is of most relevance to us because both teams have a real chance of winning the league."