Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic said that he “prepared” when he knew that he was “going to face the best in the world” during his remarkable playing career.
Sir Alex Ferguson brought Nemanja Vidic to Old Trafford during the 2006 January transfer window for a £7m transfer from Russian outfit Spartak Moscow.
Vidic had a sensational impact in English football and the 43-year-old Serbian is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League defenders of all time.
The United legend made a whopping 300 appearances for the Red Devils and enjoyed an incredible silverware haul at Old Trafford.
During his playing spell under Sir Alex Ferguson, Vidic lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and three League Cups with United.
Vidic was a linchpin defensive figure for Ferguson before the ex-United manager’s retirement in 2013 and stuck up a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand.
The former United captain played under ex-United boss David Moyes in his final season at Old Trafford before he left the Red Devils in 2014.
Vidic on playing against Man Utd players
Nemanja Vidic saw out the remainder of his legendary playing career at Serie A side Inter Milan before he announced his retirement from football in 2016.
The United legend’s career was hindered at times by injuries and Vidic admitted that there were times at the Red Devils where he “didn’t train.”
Speaking to France Football magazine, Vidic said: “I had the impression that I wasn’t the same player, that I couldn’t do the same things as before.
“I couldn’t see myself staying in England because the Premier League is very demanding and I didn’t want to play for any club other than United.
“When you’re a footballer, you shouldn’t talk about your injuries… I had a herniated disc when I was at Red Star and I’ve had it my whole career.
“In Manchester, there were even periods when I didn’t train, I just played the matches.”
Vidic played in star-studded squads that Sir Alex Ferguson had built and he spoke about playing against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney in training.
“When I arrived, I was more scared of training sessions than matches,” he said.
“At Carrington, I was up against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Louis Saha and Ruud van Nistelrooy.”
Vidic names six standout players
During his prolific club playing career and time on the international stage with Serbia, Vidic crossed paths with his fair share of legendary players.
The ex-Serbia defender singled out Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba, Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi as “fantastic players” he faced.
“It was hard to survive! I love defending,” Vidic said.
“I could read the action well and knew how to position myself to avoid having to sprint.
“Some people like to take part in the game, but I was happy if I didn’t let my opponent take the ball.
“Even against a small team, I prepared as if I was going to face the best in the world.
“But I played against some fantastic players: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba… I’m also thinking of Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi, who I played against in my first game for Serbia.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/RtXny5o