11 Jul 2013

Man U captain misses tour

5:19 am on 11 July 2013

Manchester United's captain Nemanja Vidic was a surprise absentee as the English Premier League football champions prepared to fly out for their pre-season tour of east Asia and Australia.

There was no hint of any problem at the weekend when Vidic attended the official unveiling of David Moyes as United's new manager, and there was no immediate explanation offered for the Serbian star's absence from the 19-man touring party.

It might concern treatment he needs for a chronic knee injury that has ruled him out for virtually 12 months.

United's tour takes them to Thailand, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong before a further friendly in Sweden and then Rio Ferdinand's testimonial against Sevilla at Old Trafford in the second week of August.