Eight Reds braced for big night

As many as eight United players could be involved when the Euro 2008 campaign draws to a close on Wednesday night.

Owen Hargreaves has recovered from tendonitis and could pip Aston Villa's Gareth Barry to a midfield place if England coach Steve McClaren decides to play a 4-5-1 system. Wes Brown is also in the squad to face Croatia at Wembley but Rio Ferdinand is suspended. McClaren has invited the injured Wayne Rooney to Wembley to cheer on his England team mates who need just a draw to qualify for Euro 2008.

Two United players could be on opposite sides in Belgrade. Nemanja Vidic's Serbia need to beat Tomasz Kuszczak's Poland, who have already qualified, to keep their campaign alive. Serbia will then face Kazakhstan on Saturday in a rearranged game and if the result is still crucial, but it remains unclear whether Vidic will be allowed to play in the match as it would mean missing United’s away fixture at Bolton.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani could both play for Portugal when they take on Finland, seeking the point they need to reach the Euro 2008 finals.

The Netherlands and France have both already qualified but Edwin van der Sar is set to play again for the Dutch away at Belarus while Patrice Evra may be given an opportunity for France over the border in Ukraine.

In Group F, Northern Ireland have an outside chance of going through. They must win in Spain, without the suspended United defender Jonny Evans, and hope that Latvia win in Sweden.

Source: http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6%2D407E%2D44BC%2D800F%2D4A3110258114%7D&newsid=509142

Vidic could miss Man Utd fixture

Nemanja Vidic could miss Manchester United's game at Bolton on Saturday.

Vidic is part of the Serbia squad whose Euro 2008 qualifier against Kazakhstan has been rescheduled for the day of United's trip to the Reebok Stadium.

The group A match was due to be played last Saturday but had to be cancelled because of heavy snow in Belgrade.

However, if Serbia fail to beat group leaders Poland, or Portugal take a point from Finland on Wednesday, the Kazakhstan tie will be meaningless.

That would raise the possibility of Vidic being freed by his country to rejoin the United squad for their Premier League encounter with Gary Megson's Bolton.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be loathe to lose the 26-year-old defender, who has played in all but one of the club's league games this season.

After Saturday's postponement Uefa attempted to stage the qualifier on Sunday but with 14cm of snow still lying on the Partizan Stadium pitch, those plans also fell through.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7101231.stm

Vidic signs new Man Utd contract

Manchester United centre-half Nemanja Vidic has extended his contract with the club until 2012.

The 26-year-old, whose old deal ran out in 2010, moved to United for £7m from Spartak Moscow in January 2006.

The Serb international was unconvincing initially but did not take long to find his form and helped United clinch the Premier League crown last season.

"Nemanja has made a terrific impact at the club," Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's website.

"He has forged a partnership with Rio Ferdinand that was a major part in us winning the title last year.

"He is an extremely popular member of the squad, both with staff and fans alike.

"It's great news that he wants to be part of this exciting side for years to come."

Vidic was a key presence for United early on this season when he helped the side keep consecutive clean sheets against Tottenham, Sunderland and Everton, with Sir Alex Ferguson's outfit earning three 1-0 wins as they struggled to hit top form in attack.

"Playing in this team is a great privilege," stated Vidic. "This is such a great club, I am delighted to be able to extend my stay here.

"The fans and everyone at the club have been very special to me. I hope I can do my bit to bring the club even more trophies in the years ahead."

Source : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7084935.stm

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