Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United captain believes the premier League leaders’ improving injury situation will have a significant impact during X-mas time. Rio Ferdinand will be available again after being rested for the trip to Swansea, while Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa is set to return to training this week following a knee problem.

Vidic feels the increase in options are essential for United manager Alex Ferguson as his team try to hold onto their lead at the top heading into 2013.

“We now have three games in the next nine days,” Vidic said.

 “Obviously we have a few players who are coming back from injury and they will be important for that period.” Ferguson revealed he knew little about Newcastle’s impressive signings before they arrived in England.

“The new players they brought in caught us all by surprise. We didn’t really know a lot about them,” Ferguson said.