Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic – Overrated?
I have been a Manchester United fan for my whole life. Since the Premier League started in 1992 Manchester United centre backs have been amongst the most reliable in England‘s top flight and with Rio Ferdinand, this generation of players has another steady eddy at the back, unfortunately in my opinion when he is injured or suspended we lack any discipline amongst whichever centre backs play in his absence.
Johnny Evans and Chris Smalling have a lot to learn still, meaning Nemanja Vidic has to live up to the so called quality everybody believes he has. I don’t dispute his dedication and drive for the cause of Manchester United and I’m delighted he is a United player but the lack of positioning and discipline to stay on his feet really frustrates me.
In the air we have nobody better but as soon as a team such as Arsenal play the ball around our own box looking for gaps in our defence he can not stay patient. The number of free kicks he alone gives away with in shooting distance is not good enough for a team challenging for the title every season. This maybe fine against so called lower league opposition as in the main we have possession in the oppositions half but on numerous occasion’s in the big games Nemanja Vidic will be the guilty party when conceding a goal.
For some funny reason after having two exceptional seasons it seems he can not be blamed for anything. Such as John Terry at Chelsea both World Class centre backs but why are they never criticised when they make many a mistake. Evidence was when we played Manchester City at the weekend. Who would have thought before the game it would be Chris Smalling controlling our defence playing like he had the experience of Vidic. Next time you get a chance to watch Manchester United just watch Nemanja Vidic, hopefully he’ll stop conceding needless free kicks and play like the solid Captains Manchester United have had at centre-back since I’ve been watching them.
Are you sure your a United supporter? Vidic is the team captain, a leader and fearless.You are probably heavy with lauding up Chris Smalling, who is going to be magnificent, and was in the City game.Nemanja was equally good, ok he does not bring the ball out of defence as skillfully as Rio or Chris, but that’s not his game.He is the last line of defence.
I dont believe Sir Alex, would have promoted Vidic to club captain, in preference to Rio Ferdinand if the manager did not trust him.
How many games did we lose, last season, as a result of not having a fit “Vidic” and Ferdinand ?.Therefore we effectively lost the Premiership, because of not having our fantastic, central defence.
I would respectfully direct you to the central defence, that played at West Ham, in the Carling cup, not that is pinning the blame, on our young central defensive partnership, they are developing.The whole team were below par at Upton Park.
Where do you believe Chris Smalling is learning his trade, its working with seasoned professionals like Rio and Chris.
He is the Club captain.He will put his body on the line for United,will you?
its working with seasoned professionals like Rio and Chris, “should read
Nemanja.I should proof read, prior to posting.
Probably written by Andy Townsend from SKY….He hates Utd and is always rubbishing them….
There is no way this was written by a true Manchester United FAN
I didnt even give this the diginity of a proper read as anyone who questions Vida and indicates in the heading that he might be overrated know nothing about football and is not a true supporter of Manchester United. Vidic is a bull, a warrior, a leader, the best defender in the world and captain of United, he is not overrated in any way. Vida is solid against everyne and the amount of “world” stars he has stopped is endless, Vida is the boss of our defence and is rarely ever beat. Vida is a a beast.
John Terry is NOT world class, he is a highly overrated average defender and a scum bag.
United fans my foot, you have nothing to say, keep quiet, why didn’t you point out man vs spur, i think vidic did nothing and was useless also in that match. Vidic is the best central back in the world, without vidic man utd could have been battling or how to claim champions league spot rather being first in the league. Vidic, berbatov and nani have been our best player this season.
Chris Homoroso surely aint a united fan…even at that he must be watching the tv from the back of his head..stinking article..reflection of a sick mind!
The man does not know what he is talking about – is he a City fan pretending to be Manchester United fan? Do you even for a minute think that SAF will make him a captain if he wasn’t good? Come on get your facts right and give where credit is due.
I believe Vidic is quality but in big games he has made vital errors yet it seems to be overlooked. Thats all i’m saying
Why when a fan critisices his own players is it not acceptable. Stop being ignorant. i suppose after rooney scored that unbelievable goal he is now the best player in the world again for some of you. We have a quality team but the performance is not there yet this season
Vidic is our consistent and best performer. do u even watch united’s match ? 99 time he saved united skin in all the matches.. 1 or 2 mistake in a season is acceptable.
@Chris Amoroso quote “I believe Vidic is quality but in big games he has made vital errors yet it seems to be overlooked. Thats all i’m saying” Which games are you speaking about?
“We have a quality team but the performance is not there yet this season”
United are top of the league? We a not firing on all cylinders no doubt, apart from the Blackburn, Birmingham and Villa game.
Thats not really the point, you cant castagate the team captain, and lay some sort of blame at him. He is a rock.He is a World class player coveted bye many Clubs, fortunately signed to our’s for the future.
You took a tonking, in your article, try maybe picking on Anderson.?
You might have more luck.
“when he is injured or suspended we lack any discipline amongst whichever centre backs play in his absence”
As a life long “supporter” were you there when VDS got teh clean sheet record? Were you there when Rio was banned for 9 months?
“as a team such as Arsenal play the ball around our own box looking for gaps in our defence he can not stay patient” – you need a couple of examples to quantify this one.
I don’t know if you wrote this piece as a provocative piece or what, but if so you’ve failed on that and just make people question your judgement.
@ Author,
I see what you are saying, but you are overlooking multiple critical points. hence rendering your article to attention seeking cannon fodder
Someone earlier said ‘he’s the last line of defence’ He takes the most risk. If you know anything about percentages in football you know there is an error factor for any play. so if you make the most tackles (last ditch at that) you would commit the most fouls, right. would you rather he let the player pass? or not commit to tackles/headers? I’m sorry but not every defender can be a ball player like Rio. Saying that, his diagonal balls and GOALS add to his game. Why do you think Rio raaarely scores at setplays? he’s much taller. But he is not the type of player to put his head where it hurts. Nemanja pops up enough. They complement eachother. and if you were unaware of that fact, then your perspective is questionable ranging from clueless wannabe writer to bitter bluenose.
And in any case, how many direct freekicks or pens have been scored or we conceeded due to Vidic’s swashbuckling splendour? Not many come to mind.. where are your facts long time fan? (i’m an 80s boy btw) He was rightly given stick on that fateful day at OT by the ladyboy, but even you have to admit he has not been exposed like that since.
wo,w.. assessment fail article..
..”meaning Nemanja Vidic has to live up to the so called quality everybody believes he has.”
it’s already 2011. while you were busy trying to out from under the rock you’ve been living in, the rest of the world has established that he far surpasses that ‘so called quality’
@Steve Crab, a life long supporter eh.Rio was on drugs, try a new dealer?
Mate its all as you say “Provacation”, but funny to read.
We all cant sing from the same “song sheet” it makes it for zero fun. Innit.
Netherlands my spam pass word, approriate or what!
There was only bastard in here that questioned the article! at the begining Me. lmao
The girly lads hop, on as normal. over and out, 10/10.
Keep it Red.
This is some deluded article!
Can´t believe that Im reading. You don’t have to be a football pundit to agree that Vidic is one of the top 3 centre backs in the world, and even some of the most known pundis rate him as that.
Rubbish article… Vidic is fearless, a SAFE in the United defence, one of the top 3 players at the club for me.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I too have criticized Vida in the past..but I think you’ve spooned your penalty way over the crossbar with this article.
Vidic does not have a problem staying on his feet. He is a combative defender and he gets stuck in. It’s why he & Rio complement each other. Rio is the ball carrier and positional chess master, whereas Vidic is our dog of war, who also gives us an attacking threat from set pieces.
For me both Rio & Vida are still 2 of the top centrebacks in world football. If Titus Bramble was our centreback then I would find this “frustrating”..as you quote. But Vidic is top draw, and that alone makes this piece null en void. Disappointing that some so called life long fans could make this assessment and write this article..even a Liverpool supporter would probably be more complimentary of the MUFC skipper than yourself. Maybe as you haven’t experienced a United side that didn’t win titles that you are less objective than some of us that have seen some shit play at centreback for us over the years?? Non big 4 club fans call this as “being spoiled”. I agree.
@ Rob B. from the Faithfull, here here. Well said, the article was “spooned”.
Its not the time to, knock our captain, to me he our Serbian monster, And will win us more than he, makes slip ups.
I really mean, am done with this, its just so sad, we pick on our Club captain and reduce him to looking pathetic. Its a poor article.
Are you insane? Seriously. The man is a beast. He has been outstanding for us since he’s join. He’s had more then a couple of good season. Theres always fucking one isn’t there.
Nemanja played half of the 08/09 season with Evans and United still had a solid defense. Name better center backs around.
Gareth Bale and co. ripped apart Inter yet in the two games they played against United and Nemanja they have failed to score.
Vidic doesn’t control the defense… he is just an out and out defender. He’ll head the ball away, he’ll make fantastic tackles and he’ll put his body on the line. Rio Ferdinand will sweep away any danger and make key interceptions.
Plain and Simple if United didn’t have Nemanja Vidic this season I guarantee we wouldn’t be sitting at the top of the pile.
Theres a saying in how to be a successful writer…. be loved or be hated… and I hope for your state of mental health that your just trying to be hated.
Couldn’t be bother reading all the responses, but I’m sure they agree this is the biggest load of bollox I’ve ever read. Vidic is the best defender in the league.
Sheer bulls**t!! Young man, I’ve been Utd supporter from 1967 (Were you even born then?) – and Vida is one of the best CBs we’ve ever had and long may he ply his trade with us.
This is, as the poster before me said, .. BOLLOCKS.
maybe you watch different games, because of all the games i have watched Vidic thrives against bigger team a true united warrior, you can as well stop supporting man-u (that is if you really are) we have many supporters
crazy article.. vidic is the best in the world at his position.. he has been the best value for cash spent by united after ronaldo..
crazy article.. VIDIC IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD AS A CENTER BACK..!!
I stopped reading this article within after the first paragraph, Vidic has been a revelation this season considering the injuries, and you say when a team like arsenal plays against him he falters….think he did quite well considering we kept a clean sheet against them this season? also did you not watch him against spurs away by far the best defensive performance of the season! get a grip and actually watch him play
what a load of tosh, shouldnt even leave a comment!!
what a load of crap. vidic is a great defender. if anything hes underrated due to a couple of poor performances against Torres. One of the very best around
Guys
I think you need to read carefully what the chap is saying as I can understand what he trying to get at.
Admittedly he made the point quite poorly hence why he being torn a new one by all who are replying.
He does make mistakes but he is not overratted. He is better than that John Terry as he is shit. Gallas made him look a lot better and now that Ivanovic does.
That Luiz looks like he can play a bit and thought he had a great game.
Are stupid or what? Vidic is most probably the best centre back in the world. He is the team captain and the main reason why United get clean sheets.
Total rubbish …..vidic to me is one amongst best of the the all time defenders manu have ever had …..is he over rated? definetely not because he is the one carring the team for me…..sir alex wouldnt give him the captians armband for nothing…..he is the leader of the team and he deserves every bit of applause for the season he has had…..he is a true red devil
go way you bollox,he`s head and shoulders above the rest.
The person who wrote this is clueless…
VIDA is one of the worlds best and most consistent defenders….That’s not only backed up by experts, but by players and managers alike.
Vidic is THE best defender in the world at the moment, without any doubt. If you’re questioning his ability then you are out of your mind. Rio’s time has passed, same goes for Terry, Nesta and soon Puyol. Vidic is at his prime and the only defender in the world that can be compared to him is Pique, but still Vidic is the best. Don’t be surprised when people insult you when you are poking into their eyes with rubbish articles like this!
Vidic is clearly the best defender in the premier league better than Terry, better than carragher better than any one, Vidic will put his head anywhere to block the ball even if he gets kicked in the teeth. His heading ability is unbelievable. Vidic will lift the premier league trophy this year and he deserves it FACT !!! End of story.
Vidic has desire to win the ball, a great tackler and great with his head. His all action tackling harmonises with Rio’s composure and willingness to bring the ball forward. He can pass and score goals andis known throughout the world as probably in the top three defenders in the world and up there with United legends like Stam, Pallister, Rio and Bruce.
He has been everpresent in a side which has only lost one league game this season, has featured regulary in the Preimer League Team of the Year and was part of the defensive unit that allowed Van Der Sar to break the record for most clean sheets in the history of the Prem.
So in answer to your question, ‘overrated?’ Not really. Don’t embarrass United Fans the world over with unnecessary witch-hunts of our star players.
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