Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is adamant that he is ready to make a complete recovery from a year of injury hell.

Vidic has played just five times in the last 12 months after suffering successive knee injuries.

The Serbian international admitted that he is driven to silence critics that believe he will not return at the top level.

He told The Sun: "I have worked hard to be the same player again and I have the determination not to drop the quality of my game. There will be pressure. When you play for United you don't have time for people to wait for you.

"When I got the first injury I was out for six months and people were saying 'Is he going to be the same? 'Can he play for United?' This is the challenge you have to deal with. But when you have been out for the best part of a year after having always played, I think I will need to go through a few games to get my form back but I'm confident that I can deal with that.

"Obviously, it's a challenge for me when I come back, firstly to be in the same form as I was but also to help the team. As someone who has had six years here and, at 31, with some good years still left to play, I feel a responsibility."

The United skipper is in the squad to face Sunderland this afternoon and is expected to play some part after being declared fully fit by club doctors.