Vidic has once again been linked with a big-money move away from Old Trafford in recent days, speculation that was fuelled by his strange withdrawal from Sunday's FA Cup defeat by Leeds moments before kick-off.

At the time, Ferguson could not shed any light on what had caused Vidic's absence, which suggested a breakdown in communication between the pair.

It has now been established Vidic tweaked a nerve in his leg that was causing him enough discomfort to warrant him standing down from the side and Wes Brown stepping in to take his place.

And, aware his name is once again being mentioned with a move away from United, Vidic is eager to play down reports of a rift with Ferguson.

"Everybody in the club knows that I have a marvellous understanding with my coach Ferguson," Vidic told Sportski zurnal.

"Ferguson said that he didn't talk with the club doctor but he didn't say that he doesn't believe in my injuries and that we are in a fight.

"I am not unhappy at Old Trafford. I am just injured.

"I hope that I will be able to play as soon as possible.

"The doctors told me that I will not be able to play for the next seven or 10 days so I don't think that I will play against Birmingham City on Saturday but I should be okay after that."

Although it is claimed Vidic's wife Ana is not happy with life in England, the Serbia star has always appeared content and, if there is a problem, it is more likely to be caused by a desire for his salary to match some of the Red Devils' top earners, an argument that would appear pretty solid given his status as one of the Premier League's best defenders and current United player of the year.

Ferguson does not appear to have an issue with a player signed for what now constitutes a bargain £7million from Spartak Moscow four years ago, although his presence may prove a barrier to Wes Brown's hopes of an extended run in the United line-up.

Ironically, Brown's absence from the pre-Christmas trip to Fulham was one of the reasons United went into the game with only one recognised defender in Patrice Evra.

A subsequent three-goal hammering by Roy Hodgson's side created a backdrop of uncertainty, which was only made worse by Sunday's shock reverse.

The abysmal weather conditions that caused tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final at Manchester City to be postponed have either prevented an immediate response or the situation getting far worse, depending on how it would have unfolded.

But Brown accepts his own fitness problems hardly helped.

"I got injured at completely the wrong moment," he said.

"There were no defenders going into Fulham, just Patrice on his own, which was a bit disappointing to say the least.

"Maybe I could have played but I felt my hamstring a little bit and the best thing to do was to leave it.

"If I had played I could have made it a lot worse and been out for even longer."

Brown probably took the wisest decision given he was able to play in the subsequent victories over Hull and Wigan and stepped in at short notice when Vidic pulled out at the weekend to partner Jonny Evans, who made an admittedly miserable return to duty.

However, Rio Ferdinand is not far away from a comeback either after spending three months on the sidelines nursing a back complaint.

"Soon we will have everyone back, so it is looking a lot more positive on the injury front, which is good news for the team," said Brown.

Whether he can hold onto his place, though, remains to be seen.

England coach Fabio Capello has identified the 30-year-old as one of his back-up defenders for next summer's World Cup.

Yet Brown knows he will only hang on to that place if he gets plenty of games for United, something he cannot take for granted after featuring only 13 times last term, when he was affected by a variety of different problems.

"It was a disappointing for me," he said.

"This season I have got back in because of injuries and I have done okay.

"We want everyone back but hopefully I can keep doing well."