Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is hopeful he can be fit in time for the start of the season.

United defender steps up summer fitness bid

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is hopeful he can be fit in time for the start of the season. The Serbia international has been sidelined since December after damaging knee ligaments during United's 2-1 defeat in the Champions League clash against Basle. However, he has now stepped up his rehabilitation and is confident he can be ready for United's season opener in August. The 30-year-old told: "Hopefully, I'll be fit for the big kick-off. "I can now run and do some things on the pitch which is better for me psychologically because for the last four months it's been every day in the gym, which is hard. "But the worst part is behind me. I can look forward to the second half of the rehabilitation and work more on my fitness."