The decision was a surprise to many but as alternative choices Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand all missed the trip to Turkey for Tuesday night's Champions League encounter with Bursaspor, it appears Ferguson made the correct decision to go with Vidic, who is already proving to be a sturdy leader.
"We had to choose someone we felt was going to be fit and playing every week," said Ferguson. "That is difficult when you rotate the squad the way we do. We felt Vidic was closest to that. And he is a defender and I always think they make better captains."
Vidic will lead his side into battle on Tuesday evening knowing victory against a team that has failed to register a single point in their three outings so far - and were beaten by Nani's early strike at Old Trafford a fortnight ago - will take them within touching distance of a spot in the last 16.
As Chelsea and Arsenal are in equally comfortable positions, it has been used as evidence of the Champions League reducing in quality. Ferguson is having none of it.
"Have you seen the last six World Cups? It is better going to the dentist I suppose," he said.
"It is a natural thing. If you look at the great teams in the European Cup now and think of the Premier League, you are not going to get the same crowd for Arsenal playing a lower team in the league, or the same tension and drama as you would Arsenal against Manchester United.
"It is the same in the Champions League. Inter Milan playing one of the smaller teams will not get the same crowd.
"The important thing is the Champions League has proved itself since its inception. It is better than the World Cup. It is unbelievable. There are some fantastic games.
"Yes, you have to get through the group stages before you get to the really exciting stage but it is a fantastic tournament."
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Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) Information
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Date of birth
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Wednesday, 21st October 1981
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Height
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6ft 2in
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Place of birth
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Uzice, Serbia
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Weight
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13st 3lb
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International
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Serbia
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Position
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Defender
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Comments
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Squad No.
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15
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Recent Career History By Club (1999 onwards)
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Team
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Debut | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 25 Jan 2006 | 190 (7) | 14 | 43 | 3 | ||
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Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards)
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Season
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First App. | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds | |
| 08 Aug 2010 | 13 (0) | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 22 Aug 2009 | 33 (0) | 1 | 11 | 1 | ||
| 10 Aug 2008 | 50 (3) | 6 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 05 Aug 2007 | 45 (0) | 1 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 23 Sep 2006 | 38 (0) | 4 | 10 | 0 | ||
| 25 Jan 2006 | 11 (4) | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
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Appearances 190 (+ 7 as sub); Goals 14; Yellow cards 43; Red cards 3
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Source: PA
Source: PA