Nemanja Vidic

posted on 01/06/09

Nemanja Vidic

Name: Nemanja Vidic
Born: October 21, 1981
Height: 6′ 1?
Age: 28
Position: Defender
Squad number: 15

Red Star Belgrade in Serbia was where Vidic first made his name as a tough tackling, no nonsense central defender. He signed for them as a 15 year old and was sent on a season long loan to Spartak Subotica where he impressed. He moved back to when the loan period ended and was quickly brought into the first team in 2001. He helped the team win the Yugoslav Cup in his first full season and his leadership qualities earned him the captain’s armband for the following campaign.

Vidic regularly got himself on the score sheet due to his excellent aerial ability, recording stats of 12 goals in 67 matches, a good ratio for any defender. His final season with Belgrade ended on a high as he led the team to the domestic double in 2004, winning the Serbia and Montenegro League and Serbia and Montenegro Cup.

His heroics for Belgrade earned him a transfer to Russian team Spartak Moscow. It is thought that he became the most expensive defender in Russian Premier League history, though the actual fee was never released to the public.

Sir Alex Ferguson watched his progress at Spartak closely and decided to make his move in January 2006. Vidic was signed for a fee of around £7 million and given the number 15 shirt. His early form for United was inconsistent, much like his fellow January signing Patrice Evra, but Ferguson kept his faith in the Serbian and it paid dividends the following season.

Vidic formed a central defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand that is possibly the best in the world at the moment. Ferdinand’s composure with the ball and Vidic’s all action style means the two compliment each other perfectly. Comparisons have been drawn between the formidable partnership of Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister that was the foundation of United’s early Premier League success. His first full season at United saw him pick up his first Premier League winners medal as United pipped Chelsea to the title.

The 2007/2008 season saw Vidic continue his impressive partnership with Ferdinand and his efforts were rewarded with a contract extension.

It was another season of success for United as Vidic picked up his second Premier League winners medal in a row and added a Champions League winners medal after beating Chelsea in the final.

In the 2008/2009 Vidic really came to the fore. He was the only defender to play every game in a record breaking defence that kept 14 clean sheets in a row. It helped him pick up his third consecutive Premier League winners medal and he made another appearance in the Champions League final, losing to Barcelona.

His inspirational performances earned him a nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award and he was named the favourite to win it. He lost out to team mate Ryan Giggs. Vidic did win both the Manchester United fans’ player of the year and players’ player of the year awards to mark his overall contribution throughout the season.

United fans can look forward to more all action performances from Vidic as his contract runs until Summer 2012.