United’s Warrior – Nemanja Vidic

“Offence wins games, on the other hand defense wins championships” is something that is often said in America’s version of football. Ironically enough, it does hold true for the world’s version of football too.

In January 2006, Sir Alex Ferguson gambled £ 7 Million on a young Serbian center-half. ‘Gambled’, however, isn’t quite the word Sir Alex would choose. Nemanja Vidic along with Patrice Evra, and Ben Foster – who came in a bit earlier in the season were 3 rare mid-season buys at Old Trafford. The verdict seemed clear – ‘Defense was the way forward’. High standards set by ‘the special one’s’ Chelsea had brought about this revolution. Vidic was going to be United’s John Terry. A little too far-fetched though, one would have thought.

Little did we know of what destiny had in-store for the two. In quite a twist of fate, Mr Chelsea started to slip as Vidic leapt higher and higher. Vida upon his arrival started slowly in the Premier League, something he himself admitted. The English press, patient as ever, were quick to regard him as another ‘panic’ buy and wrote him off instantly. “Yet another January mistake”, some said as a highly motivated United (to re-ignite the long dead championship race) were handed a 3-0 hammering in west London.

As impatient as Sir Alex was with Van Nistelrooy in the summer, he showed plenty when it came to the Serbian. And his belief would pay rich dividends as Vidic re-paid Fergie’s faith with his outstanding performances on the pitch. What was simply staggering was how quickly he had formed a partnership with United’s most expensive transfer at that time – Rio Ferdinand. A stable center-half pairing is what United had lacked in years. Not since Jaap Stam’s departure in 2001 had United had a single center-half pairing that could be deemed as world class. Vidic it seemed was the missing piece in Rio’s and United’s jigsaw. As it emerged, Vida who is strong in the air was the ideal foil to the speedy Ferdinand, who always relied more on reading the game.

In 2007, United won its first Premier League trophy in 4 years and reached the semi-final of the Champions League for the first time in 5 years. Even though most would credit the achievement to Ronaldo’s ‘coming of age’, overlooking Vidic’s importance it would be foolhardiness. For all of Chelsea’s defensive prowess, United only conceded 3 more goals in the league that season. Vidic’s performance was duly acknowledged when he received at the end of the season. He was now United’s backbone.

The following season, United added Carlos Tevez, Anderson, Nani to their ranks. All evidence pointed in the direction of attack. Vida’s presence however, meant that United were in safe hands defensively. Such was his impact during the season that United could play with a two man mid-field comprising of Carrick and Scholes with Ronaldo playing on the wing while rivals Chelsea and Liverpool played with two holding midfield players. And yet United conceded the least number of goals in the league. Unsurprisingly, Vidic was at the center of it all. His brilliance drove United to yet another league title. Not only that, but United one-upped themselves and reached the final of the Champions League. As fortune would have it, United were up against Chelsea. Vida up against Terry. Chelsea’s ‘Captain Courageous’ up against ‘another January mistake’. Oh how things had come a full circle. As Terry kissed Moscow’s grass and moments later, Vida was on the podium kissing the Champions League trophy.

2008 saw Vida and United’s defense attain even greater heights as United went on to set a new British record for consecutive clean sheets. United had gone 1,311 minutes 14 matches without conceding a goal. As expected, Vidic was the star of the show as he started all 14 games. The result – yet another league title in the bag and another year in the FA Premier League Team of the season. He was also nominated for the UEFA’s – European Defender of the Year award.

In 2010, Vidic received the ultimate prize as he was made the captain of Manchester United. As captain Vida led from the front as an often stuttering United showed plenty of grit and determination, something that resonates with the name Vidic. United were crowned Champions for the 4th time in 5 years and Vida was once again in the team of the year.

Seeing Vida lift the the premier league trophy as captain, the smile on Fergie’s face said something. Something like, the word for Vidic was always ‘investment’.