Vidic keen to have Ferdinand fit to face Gunners

Ferdinand was forced off five minutes into the second half of Tuesday night's Champions League draw with Valencia after experiencing discomfort in his hamstrings.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is confident his prompt action in replacing the 31-year-old with Chris Smalling on a freezing night at Old Trafford has given Ferdinand the best possible chance of being fit.

As someone who has benefited from playing alongside Ferdinand for much of his five years with the Red Devils, Vidic knows just how important it would be to have his long-time partner next to him against Arsene Wenger's men.

"Fingers crossed he will be okay," said Vidic. "Against Arsenal we need to have experienced players on the pitch, especially Rio. I hope he will be fine and be ready because that is a very important game."

Although United have come through the biggest of matches without star players, such is the incisiveness of Arsenal's attack at the moment – especially in-form Samir Nasri – that Ferguson's players will have to be on their guard if they are to gain a victory that would sweep them back to the top of the Premier League table and put them in command of their own destiny.

With a trip to Chelsea following a week later, Vidic realises there is no time to think about Christmas festivities just yet and Paul Scholes's likely absence with a groin problem just focuses minds even more.

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe will look to pile on the misery for Chelsea in Sunday's derby at White Hart Lane.

Tuesday night saw Defoe mark his first 90 minutes since August with two trademark goals as Spurs drew 3-3 at FC Twente to secure top spot in Champions League Group A. The 28-year-old recently returned from 10 weeks out after suffering ankle ligament damage on England duty at the start of September.

Champions Chelsea have gone four matches without a league win, surrendering top spot, and are only four points ahead of Tottenham.

Revealing he felt "a lot stronger than before", Defoe said: "It's going to be a difficult game. Good that they're not winning games but it'll still be a difficult game."

After struggling against the Premier League's so-called 'big four' for so long, Tottenham have won their last four league games against three of them: Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

"The team's come a long way, to be honest," Defoe said. "We look forward to every game and we believe that – it doesn't matter who we play against – we can win the game and get three points."