United's win over Sydney ended a four-game losing streak, and in the process moved back the club into outright second in the A-League table.

The three points were secured after defender Sasa Ognenovski celebrated his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance with a goal on the stroke of half time, before Captain Travis Dodd netted the second after he blocked an attempted Sydney FC clearance, which fortuitously found the back of the net in the 78th minute.

Vidmar brought in a host of fresh faces into the starting eleven, Daniel Mullen, Alemao, Kristian Sarkies and Paul Reid all starting in a line up that had Dodd playing as a lone striker with Cassio and Cristiano on the bench.

The Reds coach said: “It was extremely important that we got the three points and it gives us a good opportunity to continue in good form going into the A-League.

“We did well to get the three points and now we’ve got an extremely critical two games coming up before we go away (to Japan) and if we can pick up some more points there it will put us in a really good position.”

The Reds took a punt by starting Brazilians Cassio and Cristiano on the bench while tall defender Robbie Cornthwaite was left out of the squad all together. All three have been vital members of the starting 11 so far this season.

Vidmar said the club felt the trio were struggling and decided it was time to give them a break.

"We had a pretty good debate during the week with the coaching staff and we realised some of the decision making from those players has probably been at its lowest over the last couple of weeks," he said.

"So we decided to give them a rest where mentally they didn't have to think and prepare for a game but we still needed them on the bench."

Vidmar said the players didn't reveal they were feeling spent but weren't aggrieved when they were told of their demotions.

"Generally players never say that and you try and get some information from them and they always give you 'No, I feel good," Vidmar said.