Nemanja Vidic
That infamous photo the moment Vidic sustained his injury. REUTERS

Nemanja Vidic's agent has played down rumours that the defender may be at the end of his career, after sustaining a season-ending injury against Basel in Manchester United's Champions League defeat to the Swiss club.

Vidic suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in the clash, and after being carried off on a stretcher at the end of the first half, x-rays showed that the damage was worse than initially thought.

"We thought it was a bad one and unfortunately he's out for the season," Sir Alex Ferguson said at the time.

"He sees the specialist on Monday to work out the progress of when he has his operation. It won't be immediately as we have to let the swelling come down. It's a blow."

United are now running low on defenders, and rumours have been heavily speculating that Ferguson might make a move in the January transfer window to keep the side competitive as the season enters the business end.

But while Ferguson has continually denied that United will be making any purchases in January, let alone a defender, Vidic's agent Silvana Martina insists that the Serbia international will be making a big comeback next season.

"The first forecasts say it can last for a year, but it is meaningless to talk about the end of his career," he told the Daily Mail.

"It's a serious injury but club doctors assure us that the recovery will run smoothly and he will be back on the field.

"It will take time to get back into the old rhythm, but there is no doubt that Vidic will be his old self again.

"Nemanja is feeling good. He will be back next year stronger and better."

United looked to be in a crisis after losing to Basel and being knocked out of the Champions League, and while the club were posting wins in the Premier League, they looked a lot less convincing than their title and cross-town rivals Manchester City.

With the injury list climbing to nine after Darren Fletcher pulled out with an illness in the same week as Vidic becoming injured, the Christmas period suddenly looked a lot tougher for Ferguson, though United have recovered brilliantly, winning their last two matches 5-0 and equalling City on match points at the top of the table.

Vidic will now start the long and arduous road to recovery, with the 30 year old expected to slowly return to the pitch in the summer.