Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic glad to be back in action

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic was delighted to return to action on Sunday after spending the last eight months on the sidelines.

The Serbian centre-back featured in United's pre-season friendly against Valerenga in Norway that ended in a goalless draw.

Vidic played for an hour in Oslo and was overjoyed to be back on the pitch after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

"I felt well," he told MUTV. "After eight months without a game, it's obvious that you have to get used to your positioning, and still fitness-wise it's not as hopefully it will be in a few weeks, but I'm pleased. My knee felt well, I felt well and hopefully the next game will be better.

"It was frustrating, but obviously I knew I would be out for six months. I tried to make the best of it, to work hard and when I come back to be the same as I was before the injury.

"This was my target and we'll see how good a job I did in that six months. It's hard, but it's part of the football career."

Vidic is now looking forward to playing against Barcelona in Gothenburg in another pre-season friendly.

"It [Barcelona] will be a tough game, but obviously it will be a good test for us," said the 30-year-old.

"We need those games before the league starts. We have to know it's a friendly game and it doesn't count for the trophies and points."

United will begin their Premier League campaign with an away game against Everton on Monday August 20.