Vidic: We're full of confidence

Nemanja Vidic is glad to be back in United's miserly defence after shaking off a virus that affected his family and forced him to miss the cup win over Spurs.

The 26 year-old produced yet another performance of Serbian steel on his return against Portsmouth, a match which exhibited both United's defensive solidarity and attacking flair.

"I feel fine now and I am glad to be back," he told MUTV. "It was especially good to return for this game (Portsmouth). I really enjoyed it, in the first half we were very good."

Vidic believes the flair and attacking verve of United's first-half performance against Harry Redknapp's men could be counted among the Reds' best 45 minutes of the season.

"Everyone in the first half was at their best," he added. "The movement and passing were both unbelievable. We scored two, but we could have scored more. Everyone in the crowd will have enjoyed that game for the football we played, and all the players enjoyed it on the pitch. I just hope we can keep on playing like this."

But it wasn't all about the chances created going forward, the display was build on solid defensive foundations. Vidic's towering performance helped earn United an impressive 19th clean sheet of the season, a source of much pride to the miserly defence.

"We are proud of the way we have defended this season," he said. "We have been strong at the back this season, but we are more compact than last year. We defend as a team, together and for each other. Of course, we are proud. But we have many games still to play, and we have to repeat what we have achieved in the first half of the season."