During Manchester United’s glorious period under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, the club established itself as arguably the best in Europe, boasting a roster of star-studded players who secured numerous titles and trophies for two decades before Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013.
The success of the Red Devils credits notable figures who played pivotal roles, with Nemanja Vidic standing out prominently. He earned acclaim for his fearless and aggressive style, solidifying his status as one of the Premier League’s greatest defenders. His significant impact is vividly recalled, particularly since his transfer on Christmas Day in 2005.
Man United secured Nemanja Vidic for a bargain 18 years ago
The Scottish boss was famous for his scouting success, bringing countless underrated talents to the club and turning them into global stars through his coaching. Some of the popular names include Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs. However, a few exceptions, such as Owen Hargreaves, failed to make the same impact.
Similarly, in the 2005/06 season, Nemanja Vidic’s arrival proved to be one of the most successful club signings. The Serbian moved to Man United from the Russian club Spartak Moscow for a bargain fee of £7 million, ahead of arch-rival Liverpool, which also wanted the center-back.
Moving to Old Trafford was the biggest turning point in the center-back’s career, as he had previously played for only two clubs. Vidic began his career with the youth side of Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade in 1999 before making a move to Russia in 2004 and subsequently joining United the following season.
Renowned for his aggressive style of play, the Serbian was an orthodox center-back. His physicality and aerial prowess in scoring goals from set pieces were among the traits that made him an all-rounder at the back. In 2014, he left United to join Inter Milan before announcing his retirement after two seasons in 2016.
Nemanja Vidic legacy in Manchester United
During his nine-season spell at Manchester United, Nemanja Vidic carved out a reputation as the defensive icon of the Premier League. He received recognition not only from fans but also from his teammates, who hailed him as the best in the world, with a trophy-laden career to validate his prowess.
Despite initial struggles, Vidic partnered with Englishman Rio Ferdinand to form the greatest defensive partnership in EPL history.
Nemanja Vidic amassed 200 English Premier League appearances out of a total of over 300 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions. Notably, he contributed to 25 goals. In terms of trophies, his impressive haul included five league titles, the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and ten domestic accolades.
