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However, another knee injury in September has ruled out the defender for two more months and the United leader's presence was sorely missed on Saturday as Sir Alex Ferguson's side defended poorly on their way to a 3-2 home defeat against Tottenham.
Shearer feels United will drop enough points now during VIdic's absence to concede the title in the long run.
"It is early days in the title race but already Manchester United have been dealt a huge blow from which they will not recover," wrote Shearer in The Sun.
"Before the season started I did not think they were strong enough to win the title despite all their new signings.
"With the loss of Nemanja Vidic now for two months I am even more convinced that the Premier League trophy will either be staying put [at Manchester City] or heading to Stamford Bridge [with Chelsea].
"In truth his loss last season probably cost them the title.
"For me they are looking a lot more vulnerable now."
Shearer thinks United's current back-line were "cruelly exposed by the pace of Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Kyle Walker".
"Jonny Evans is a decent defender but he is no Nemanja Vidic," Shearer said.
"While Rio Ferdinand can still do a job at the top level, he is not the defender he was five years ago.
"The same can be said of Patrice Evra, whose form continues to nosedive.
"On the opposite flank I like Rafael going forward. We saw what he can do at Anfield the previous weekend with that fantastic goal. As a pure defender however it is slightly different. Witness how easily he was turned in the build-up to Tottenham's third goal.
"It seems that Sir Alex does not know who his best goalkeeper is either. David De Gea still looks a nervous wreck at times when the ball is being hoisted into a group of bodies in his box. Anders Lindegaard looks a better bet right now - but is he the long-term answer?
"The truth is there could have been plenty more goals from Spurs on Saturday."
