Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic will be out until Christmas according to boss Sir Alex Ferguson, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

Vidic sustained the knee ligament injury in September and was originally supposed to be out for two months after successful surgery, but it appears it will take a lot longer for the Serbian to recover.

The 31-year-old will hope to be back to help United out during the busy Christmas period, but after missing the last five months of last season with a similar problem, who knows if he will come back fighting fit.

The Red Devils have had major injury problems in defence so far this season with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling seemingly on their way back from long term problems but the likes of Michael Carrick have had to fill in at times, leaving Fergie with real issues.

Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand are seemingly the only fit centre halves at the club at present and so January deals may be on the managers mind.

"I think we're talking around December for Vidic. Maybe around Christmas time."