Nemanja Vidic will be suspended for two matches following his red card in Manchester United’s 4–1 defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.
The centre-back was sent off in the second half for hauling down Steven Gerrard as the Liverpool captain was running in on goal.
As it was Vidic’s second red card of the season – the other also came against Liverpool for two bookable offences in a 2–1 loss at Anfield in September – it means the Serbia international will miss two matches.
Along with this Saturday’s trip to Fulham, Vidic is unavailable for the game at home to Aston Villa, which is currently scheduled for 5 April but will be brought forward by 24 hours if United play in the Champions League on 7 April.
Showing posts with label vidic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vidic. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Giggs is the best - Vidic
Nemanja Vidic has held Ryan Giggs up as the perfect role model for any young player.
Giggs signed a one-year contract extension that will allow him to complete an incredible 19th season at Manchester United.
Already the 35-year-old is the most decorated player in English football history and given United's present dominance, the chances are Giggs will be adding to his collection over the next 18 months.
Vidic has been a team-mate for just three years of Giggs' near two-decade stint. Yet the Serbia defender has been around long enough to be aware of the standards Giggs sets.
And, should any player ever ask Vidic for the finest example of a professional footballer, he would have no hesitation putting the Welshman's name forward.
"Young players need to look at Ryan," he said.
"He is a complete professional and any young player can learn from him about how to develop themselves and how to have a big career and a long career.
"He has done very well this season and I am glad he has signed a new contract and will be part of this squad for another 18 months."
It is only a week ago at West Ham that Giggs - set to be followed in his successful contract negotiations by skipper Gary Neville - sauntered in off the touchline and scored a magnificent goal to put the Red Devils back to the Premier League summit.
"He has been at this level for 18 years," said Vidic. "To do that at Manchester United is not easy.
"In order to keep winning trophies for that long you don't just need football ability, you must be mentally tough as well."
Giggs' greatest goal was his memorable solo run and finish against Arsenal, voted the best ever in the FA Cup.
Having failed to become the first player for well over a century to complete a fifth win in the competition two years ago when United were beaten in the final at Wembley by Chelsea, victory over Derby at Pride Park on Sunday would leave Giggs just three wins away from making amends.
United have already been to the midlands outfit once this season, 24 hours after Nigel Clough had been installed as permanent successor to sacked Paul Jewell.
They were beaten too as Kris Commons lashed home the winner.
On that occasion, the Red Devils, who have Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans available but not Wayne Rooney who has been given extra time to get over his hamstring injury, had another game to tidy up the mess.
There will be no such safety net this time around if United lose again.
But Vidic, knowing the stakes are high, is not expecting a repeat.
"We only have one game this time around and we know it will be hard," he stated.
"Derby will want to finish it tomorrow as well. They don't want to come to Old Trafford because they know it will be more difficult for them there.
"They have a good team and the atmosphere will be quite intense.
"But we have the experience from last time and if we take our chances, I am sure we can do well.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Vidic - Proud to be in United
Nemanja Vidic is proud to be part of Manchester United's record-breaking defence - but 13 successive Premier League clean sheets would mean nothing to him without victories to go with them.
United have won 11 of those matches, meaning they have surged to the top of the Premier League table while still having a game in hand over all their main rivals.
Sir Alex Ferguson may swap his defenders around for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Derby on Sunday, especially as Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans have recovered from foot and ankle injuries respectively.
But Vidic has assured Red Devils supporters there is no intention among the defenders who do play to let their standards slip as the hunt for trophies becomes more intense.
"I am very proud and happy to be part of a team that created the record," said the Serbia international.
"We are delighted to have the new record but we will try to keep going and doing the same things we have done in the past because the most important thing is to win games."
Nevertheless, having dedicated his professional life to stopping opponents finding the net, Vidic takes immense satisfaction from a run that dates back to Samir Nasri's goal for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on November 8.
Vidic and Edwin van der Sar are the only ever-presents during that amazing run and the 27-year-old admits he has allowed himself a few moments of satisfaction to reflect on a run that might continue against Fulham next Wednesday.
"I am very happy to be part of this defence," he said.
"I have been there all the time and it is a nice feeling to know you have not lost a goal for so many games.
"As defenders we can take a lot of credit because our job is to keep clean sheets.
"It is obvious we have done well over the last few months and I have really enjoyed it."
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