Vidic is back in favour at United and makes a stand after row over Serbia

Nemanja Vidic walked out to defend a goal flanked only by advertising hoardings on Tuesday night.

The Manchester United defender looked less than thrilled to be playing at a ground with only three stands, although even he was more enthusiastic than Dimitar Berbatov.

Comfortable: Vidic trips Aldershot's Alex Rodman

There was an early mistake when the Serb was booked for a foul on Alex Rodman, but no prizes for guessing who was there to head away the resulting free-kick.

Vidic was there to double up on pacy Jermaine McGlashan, too, when the right winger occasionally threatened to glide past Ezekiel Fryers.

Aided by the excellent Phil Jones, who looked very assured at centre-half, this was a comfortable runout and return for Vidic.

There were occasional tussles with Aldershot striker Michael Rankine, but United's control was such that the back four were largely spectators for the majority of the second half.

Even so, the defender was alert to thwart an Aldershot counter-attack after 82 minutes.

Unhappy return: Vidic was sent off against Otelul Galati

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was reportedly upset with his captain when Vidic opted to play for Serbia earlier this month after missing two months with a calf injury.

Understandably so, particularly when his return in a United shirt was marked by a red card in the Champions League.

But, after he was dropped for Sunday's galling 6-1 defeat by Manchester City and forced to watch Rio Ferdinand's display and Jonny Evans' premature exit at Old Trafford, Vidic's confidence must now be sky high.

The Serb has also shown his commitment to Manchester United by announcing his retirement from international football this week after 56 caps for his country.

That ought to do him no harm with the manager, whom Vidic admitted he sometimes defied in order to represent Serbia.

But if this run-out for Vidic was a punishment by Ferguson, it was certainly nothing like the famous 'hairdryer' treatment.