Vidic awaits red card fate

(REUTERS)

Nemanja Vidic faces an anxious wait to find out how much damage his red card in the Club World Cup final win over LDU Quito will have on Manchester United's Champions League defence.

Under the tournament's disciplinary rules, Fifa must determine the severity of Vidic's elbow on Claudio Bieler four minutes into the second half of the Red Devils' 1-0 win.

The world governing body will then pass their findings to Uefa, who must ratify the exact punishment he will face.

Should Vidic be hit with a one-match ban, he will miss the first leg of United's Champions League encounter with Inter Milan in the San Siro on 24 February.

If it is more, the Serbian will be ruled out of the entire tie and possibly the first leg of the quarter-final should United overcome Jose Mourinho's men.

Sir Alex Ferguson did not believe Vidic used any force in his attack, nowhere near enough to have provoked Bieler's screams of agony.

However, the Scot accepts referee Ravshan Irmatov had no choice but to brandish the red card.

"Vida is disappointed but he gave the referee no option," said Ferguson.

"He didn't swing an elbow but he gave the referee no chance. He was correct to produce the red card.

"We were in a comfortable situation too. The two centre-backs were having their easiest game for weeks.

"It was a soft sending off. But it depends how Fifa interpret it and how Uefa act in terms of the information they get.

"But we have been informed if there is a suspension it will be European Cup."