CHAMPS; Liga de Quito 0 Manchester Utd 1.

Byline: DAVID McDONNELL in Japan

MANCHESTER UNITED are officially the No.1 team on the planet after victory in the FIFA Club World Cup - but it came at a price with Nemanja Vidic's red card shame.

Vidic, who was shown a straight red for violent conduct, is facing a three-match ban that will rule him out of both legs of the Champions League tie against Inter Milan next February.

The dismissal of Vidic for elbowing Liga de Quito striker Claudio Bieler took the gloss off an otherwise glorious night for Sir Alex Ferguson and his players.

Fergie offered no defence for Vidic's moment of madness, which could ultimately cost his side dear in the defence of their European Cup crown.

"We've been told that Vidic's suspension for will be in the European Cup," said Fergie. "When you look at it you can see that he's not swung an elbow. He just pushed it into him.

"It was soft, but if you do it in front of the referee you give yourself no chance.

Vida gave the ref no chance and that's disappointing."

Vidic would only say: "I don't really want to talk about it. People can watch on television and make their own minds up."

Central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand said: "It's disappointing to lose Vida for the Inter game, because he's been instrumental to our success.

"But we've got a great young centre-half in Jonny Evans, who will relish the chance of playing against Inter, who are one of the best teams in the world."

CAPTION(S):

YOU'RE OFF The ref gives Nemanja Vidic the elbow