Vidic had been expected to be out until Christmas after undergoing surgery on a knee injury in mid-September, but he returned to training early and it was suggested that he would take to the field against Manchester City, only for Ferguson to dismiss the idea.
The manager was unwilling to risk the Serbia international in Sunday’s Manchester derby but with an extra week behind him the defender could return to the starting line-up for the visit of Sunderland to Old Trafford.
“It would have been crazy to play him against City but against Sunderland…definitely,” said Ferguson.
“It’s a big bonus to have him back. He is a real competitor with that uncompromising way of his. He likes defending – that’s what it is.
“In the last 18 months he has only had 10 games or something. It is not many games that he has played.
“Now he has no pain in the knee, and it’s a different knee to the one he did his cruciate on.”
United’s defence has been questionable this season with the Reds having conceded 23 goals in 16 Premier League games, but Ferguson expects Vidic to make the difference.
“He’s under pressure isn’t he? But he’ll make a difference, absolutely. He gives us the options,” Ferguson added.
“And to have senior players like that, it’s helpful.”
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