Nemanja Vidic shows what Manchester United will miss when he leaves

Arsenal and Manchester United played out a somewhat tame and disappointing 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, with bioth defences very much on top for most of the 90 minutes.

With the Gunners at home and chasing top spot in the league table there was perhaps more expectation on them to press for the victory, but United’s back four were largely comfortable throughout, with wantaway captain Nemanja Vidic at the heart of their resilience.

In truth Vidic had far from his best game and he was perhaps lucky that Arsenal were as conservative as they were in the final third, but the Serb nonetheless contributed significantly as the defence shuffled around him. To begin with he partnered Chris Smalling in the centre, but spent the second half alongside Rio Ferdinand after Rafael went off injured at the break and Smalling shifted across.

Olivier Giroud was the sole Arsenal striker and, early on especially, he gave Vidic several headaches with his ability to win the ball in the air and being—surprisingly, perhaps—quicker over the ground than the United defender. Giroud was the focal point for the Arsenal attack and he was able to best Vidic in several aerial duels, looking to flick the ball on or knock it down—but too frequently, there were no runners looking beyond him to pounce and strike at goal.

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Vidic won just five of his 13 attempted aerial duels during the course of the game at the Emirates Stadium, an indication perhaps of why United are willing to release him at the end of the season when his contract expires.

United’s centre-back did, however, win two of his three tackles—though also committed four fouls and was probably lucky not to be carded as the transgressions totted up. Elsewhere Vidic was constantly alert to Arsenal’s routine balls into the area when Giroud wasn’t in the vicinity, making a huge 18 clearances and three interceptions—though this shouldn’t give the impression that it was a constant flow of one-way traffic in the game.

Arsenal’s attack was slow, disjointed and unambitious for long periods, until they at last pressed forward in numbers later in the match. Vidic also brings plenty of intangibles to the game which should be recognised: leadership, organisation and communication with his fellow defenders to keep Arsenal’s attackers at arms length and help protect his goalkeeper.

With an 85% pass completion Vidic was a little erratic with his playing the ball at times, especially when looking to go longer, but in general he put in a performance which, if far from the top of his game, was enough to counter the threat posed by the opposition.

Giroud got the better of him in one-on-one battles and Vidic was lucky there was not more support for the Frenchman, but the point is that there wasn’t and Vidic and co. did enough to repel what limp brute force the Gunners could muster, kept a clean sheet and took a point from their rivals.