Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic is set to be ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

The Sun says Vidic hobbled back home on crutches yesterday after being crocked as Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League against Basel.

Fears are growing in the United camp that he will be sidelined until at least April.

Vidic arrived back at Manchester Airport nursing a medial ligament injury after United's 2-1 defeat in Switzerland.

The 30-year-old centre-back went off just before the break on Wednesday night after tangling with Marco Streller - who inadvertently fell on the United star's right knee.

It is a major blow to United, who had enjoyed six clean sheets in eight games with Vidic in the side since his return from a calf injury.

The Serbian star will have a scan today to assess the full extent of his injury.

But boss Alex Ferguson was not optimistic after the match.