Papers: Vidic ban accepted
Mark Ogden writes in The Telegraph...United accept Vidic's European banNemanja Vidic will miss Manchester United’s Champions League clash against Benfica next Tuesday following the club’s decision not to appeal against the defender’s two-match ban for a red card against Otelul Galati last month. Vidic was dismissed by German referee Felix Brych for a late challenge on Galati forward Gabriel Giurgiu during the 2-0 victory in Bucharest, prompting Uefa officials on duty at the game to confirm that the Serbian would receive an automatic one-match suspension as punishment. Uefa contacted United prior to the home fixture against Galati earlier this month, however, to inform the club that Vidic would instead be banned for two games as a result of the challenge. With Chris Smalling sidelined with a broken foot, Vidic’s absence against Benfica could prove costly if United suffer further defensive injury problems against Swansea City this weekend. Sir Alex Ferguson initially described Vidic’s dismissal as “very harsh”, before conceding: “I can understand the referee’s interpretation because German football is different to England.” United have therefore opted not to contest the decision when Uefa’s disciplinary review panel sits in Nyon on Thursday.
UEFA has announced Wayne Rooney's appeal against the three-match England ban which is threatening his Euro 2012 participation will be heard on 9 December.
England coach Fabio Capello praised Phil Jones' performance in midfield against Sweden. "I changed the system," the Italian said. "It was important to see Jones in the position where [Scott] Parker usually plays. It's different to the back four. He played really well."
Meanwhile, Nani, who scored a stunning goal in Portugal's 6-2 Euro 2012 qualifying play-off win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, is in "no doubt it was my best goal in the national team, there are no words to describe it. It was an excellent shot, a great goal."
Several papers analyse United's latest financial results.