The first few matches of the new Premier League season have suggested that Manchester United still possess many of the same frailties in defence and midfield that proved so costly to them last season, and those thinking of betting on the Old Trafford club reclaiming their title with one of the sports betting or online casino gambling sites will have further cause for doubt with the news that another of the club’s defenders – Phil Jones – has now been ruled out of action for a further eight weeks.

While it is true that the 20 year old is not central to the club’s title bid – indeed he has not been able to start a match this season – and the news that he is facing a lengthy recovery time from knee surgery leaves the club even more short of reinforcements at the back.

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Nemanja Vidic and Zoran Tosic's Serbia are the latest 'United Nation' to qualify automatically for South Africa 2010 - at the expense of Patrice Evra's France.

As Group 7 leaders in Europe, the Serbs confirmed their likely passage to the World Cup finals in emphatic style on Saturday, hammering Romania 5-0. Vidic played for 73 minutes while Tosic was an unused substitute.

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is reportedly set to be rewarded for an outstanding season with a £1 million a year pay rise.

The Serbian defender was voted the club’s player of the season, after a series of stellar displays helped his side win yet another Premier League title.

Nemanja Vidic's agent has reiterated his statement that the Manchester United defender will not be leaving the club this summer despite reports linking him with a transfer.

Silvano Martina is adamant that no move is set to take place because the 27-year-old Serbian international wants to see out the remaining three years of his contract with the Red Devils.

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Manchester United's rearguard has received relentless punditry acclaim for going 20+ hours without conceding a single league goal. That feat is made all the more remarkable when taking into account how many different defensive quartets Sir Alex Ferguson has had to field, due to a mounting injury list.

Ryan Giggs and his Manchester United team-mates may still believe they can win teh quadruple!

United are still in it to win it in the FA Cup and Champions league, whilst they top the Premier League adn are in the final of the Carling Cup!

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will have been frustrated by his side's wastefulness, with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo guilty of throwing away obvious openings.