Nemanja Vidic: The Serbian Terminator

Nemanja Vidic

He epitomizes everything a Manchester United player should be.

He appears monstrous, fierce and strong, yet he is exceptionally composed and elegant. He flogs himself into every game, giving his blood, sweat and tears.

He is a nightmare of the strikers approaching the 18-yard lane. He is a colossus at the spirit of United’s defence. He is the Serbian Terminator. The name is Nemanja Vidic.

Vida – as he likes to be called – hails from the war-stricken land of Uzice, which was part of an undivided Yugoslavia before the Balkan conflict of 1989.

Growing up in a country when his hometown was torn apart by civil conflict and bombarded heavily, Vidic had extremely little hope of realizing his dream of playing football. But it turned out to be his football skills that prevented him from being drafted into the war – as footballers and students were not at mandatory to go to battle.

Starting his career as a youth recruit with Red Stars as a 15-year-old, Vidic later went on to captain this Belgrade side for nearly three seasons. He made 67 appearances for his boyhood club, before being transferred to Spartak Moscow in 2004.

In a short span of time in Moscow, he made a reputation for himself in the Russian football circles. It was not long before the Manchester United scouts came hunting for him.

It was on the Christmas day of 2006 when Manchester United signed this powerhouse defender from Spartak Moscow for a measly 7m pounds. Then, it was believed to be a low key signing as per the United standards, since fans had little idea of the Serbian’s abilities.

But it was once again Alex Ferguson’s keen eye for emerging talents that made it possible for Vidic to cross the white lanes at Old Trafford, and to hear his name chanted by a crowd of 76,000.

Vidic started his United career slowly and initially there were doubts raised about the acumen of the new purchase, as he found it difficult to adapt to life in the Premier League. Nevertheless, it was a matter of time before Vidic gained the confidence of the fans and critics.

By the start 2007-08 season, he started to forge one of United’s greatest defensive partnership with Ferdinand. Even his performances for Serbia during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers was top notch. With a reference to Vidic’s towering image in defence, his Serbian coach Antic once showered him with praise: “He’s not so much a rock as a mountain range.”

Within a season of his arrival at the Theatre of Dreams, Vidic made his mark as the best and most sought after defenders in the world. From 2007, he became the rock United built their defence around.

It was a period when no striker could get past him on the pitch and definitely not in the air. The Serb’s mixture of intensity and calm assurance combined with unerringly consistent performances, made him one of the most feared defenders in the EPL. Vidic impressed with his ability to read the opposition’s game, and looked rarely not in control.

Between 2008-2009, he aided the Red Devils to a record-breaking run of 14 successive clean sheets. He was also a part of the defence that won the Champions League final against Chelsea, and moreover, played a significant hand in winning the League title back from Chelsea. During the 2009-2010 season, Vidic played a critical part in United’s defence in the absence of other defenders attributed to injuries.

In the summer of 2010, amid reports that he was set to leave for Madrid or AC Milan, Vidic vowed his long-term future to United by penning a five-year deal.

In return for his loyalty, Vidic was offered the Captain’s armband the same season by Ferguson after the retirement of club legend Gary Neville. That season also saw Vidic quit international football, following criticism from supporters who questioned his commitment for Serbia.

He had a great start to his captaincy campaign, as he instilled a great deal of confidence in a young team. After a successful year as United captain, he was beset by a career-threatening injury in December 2011.

During a match against Basel, he ruptured his cruciate ligament and was sidelined for eight months. Even his return to top level football was shortlived as he again injured the same knee, requiring an operation that once more ruled him out for three months.

Since 2011, the once unflappable United captain, represented United just 33 times. He had been highly injury prone, and questions were being raised about him returning to top form. But Vidic, despite coming under intense scrutiny, just by sheer determination, has clawed his way back into the United XI.

Nemanja Vidic

Now as the new season begins, and as a new era is embarked on at the red side of Manchester, Vidic seems to be fitter than ever and more hungry for success. Having been once again bestowed the responsibility of leading the side by new manager David Moyes, he would look to conquer more silverware to his already well-stocked trophy cabinet.

The Serbian, having turned 31, still has a lot of football left in him. United shall require his experience, perseverance and his unassailable ability, to help them carry through in many seasons to come.

Vidic’s presence in itself, whether on paper, on the bench or in the training grounds of Carrington, shall be a fortune to savour for the Red Devils.