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Nemanja Vidic is poised to return to Old Trafford action and make the grin on Sir Alex Ferguson’s face even wider.

Manchester United’s 3-2 derby victory over ­champions City at Eastlands on Sunday has already given the manager a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Now, warrior Vidic is set to rejoin the back four against Sunderland on Saturday after 11 weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.

And Ferguson could hardly have wished for a better Christmas present than to get the Serbian centre-half operating again at the heart of his leaky defence.

Manager and player have both been frustrated by his latest enforced absence, even though United have forged ahead in the chase to regain the title while he's been a spectator.

But now Ferguson will send out his fit-again skipper out to tackle Martin O’Neill’s struggling Wearside outfit after the 6ft 3in centre-half was given the all-clear.

Despite United’s six-point cushion, the porous state of their defence - they gave up two league goals in a game for the fifth time this season at City - has given the manager some concern.

However, Vidic’s return could not be rushed.

Ferguson said: “It would have been crazy to play him against City, but against Sunderland - definitely. It’s a big bonus.”

Vidic has been desperate to step back into the title fray after being initially ruled out for two months in September.

Fergie has been forced to field no fewer than TEN centre-back partnerships this season due to injuries to Chris Smalling and Phil Jones as well as to Vidic.

That lack of stability has seen 23 goals conceded - nine more than City have let in - with lowly Reading as well as Tottenham both scoring three times in a game.

Vidic’s absence for the second half of last season, after he was first crocked in a Champions League match against at Basel almost exactly a year ago, was seen as a key factor in City’s title win on goal difference.

So nobody will be more delighted to see him back at the heart of United’s rearguard than Ferguson.

He said: “In the last 18 months he has only had ten games or something - it is not many games that he has had.

“He is a battler, a real competitor. That uncompromising way of his ... he likes defending, that’s what it is.”

It’s clear that Vidic’s return to action will be a huge boost to United’s bid to regain the title.

“Absolutely - he gives us the options,” said Sir Alex.