Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the return of captain Nemanja Vidic from injury will be critical after the champions got back on track with a 1-0 victory at Everton.
Ferguson's side returned to winning ways on Saturday after last weekend's humiliating 6-1 home defeat against bitter rivals Manchester City.
Javier Hernandez got the only goal at Goodison Park to ensure United remain five points behind leaders City.
Vidic, who missed that City game with a calf problem, starred against Everton and Ferguson expects the Serbian centre-back to be a key figure in the next few months after United's recent defensive troubles.
"It was a fantastic performance by Vidic," Ferguson said. "Every ball that came into out box he got clear and that's his speciality. He's a fantastic header of the ball and that was the key again here.
"The fact there have been so many chances against us recently we had to reduce that if we are going to win the league. It was no coincidence we didn't have any problems here."
Ferguson's relief at bouncing back from the City rout was intensified by the gritty nature of the victory.
There has been plenty of criticism of United's defence in recent weeks, but they subdued a hostile crowd in impressive fashion to claim a fourth cleansheet in the league this season.
"We expect a hard game every time we come to Everton, in fairness. The crowd get behind them and they show great enthusiasm," Ferguson said.
"In the first half in particular we played very, very well. Second half we defended well and that was the pleasing aspect for me.
"Winning 1-0, I'll take half a dozen of those anytime because that's championship form when you get those kind of results."
Hernandez's fourth goal of the season was enough for United to earn their first win on Merseyside in four years.
But the win came at a cost, with midfielder Tom Cleverley limping off with a recurrence of an ankle injury.
Ferguson also revealed England defender Chris Smalling, who missed the game, will be sidelined for a month with a broken foot, while Ashley Young is facing a spell out due to a toe problem.
United host Romanian side Otelul Galati in the Champions League on Wednesday and the trio will be missing.
"Cleverley has turned his ankle again, although we don't think it's anything serious," Ferguson said.
"Smalling has a small fracture in his foot and will be out for a month which is unfortunate.
"Young has a toe injury and it isn't going away. He will be out for a couple of weeks."
Despite the defeat, Everton manager David Moyes believes his players can take confidence from the way they have performed during a testing run of games.
The Merseysiders have lost four out of their last five games in all competitions and are at the wrong end of the Premier League table.
They travel next to another high-flying side, in the shape of Newcastle, but Moyes is confident they can arrest their current slump.
"I think we were unlucky not to get more out of our League Cup game with Chelsea in midweek and the league game with United," he said.
"My players deserve great credit for the way they have worked. I think we can take confidence from the way we played recently.
"We've had a tough run of games, but we have done a good job. I can't fault my players. We will battle on."
Source: AFP
