Vidic stands strong for United

Stuart Mathieson

March 20, 2010

Nemanja Vidic will not be haunted by his Liverpool nemesis at Old Trafford on Sunday insists Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Reds' Serbian defender has suffered the unenviable record of being sent off in the last three matches against Rafa Benitez's side.

In September 2008, Vidic was given his marching orders by referee Howard Webb for two yellow cards.

Last spring in the Old Trafford return he hauled down Steven Gerrard and was issued a straight red by Alan Wiley.

And this season he was given two yellows, again at Anfield, this time by Andre Marriner.

"The two at Anfield were definitely influenced by the Liverpool players and the crowd," said Sir Alex.

"I have looked at them again and I don't think they were actually serious. They were yellow cards. But it won't affect him."

On the contrary, the reforming of the Vidic-Rio Ferdinand axis in the middle of the back four is seen by the United manager as a major plus in the run-in.

Torres respect

"What we have seen with Ferdinand and Vidic coming back is a far better stature about the back four for a start," he added.

"Their experience and knowledge of each other's play is down to that. They are looking strong. They will improve because the length of time they have been out, games are going to help them. I am delighted they are both back now."

Vidic had a torrid time containing Fernando Torres at Old Trafford last spring and the Anfield boss Rafa Benitez believes had they had the Spaniard fit all term, Liverpool would be among the title challengers.

"It's possible. I think he is right there," added Fergie.

"He is a top player. When you don't have your top players you don't get top results. It happened to us when all our defenders were injured. We went to Fulham with midfielders playing centre back, what do you expect?

"That was a fragile moment for our club. The back four was changing every game so you don't expect the best results without the best players. That applies to every team.

"With a few coming back we just got over the hill. We climbed over it. I have Jonny Evans and Gary Neville fit.

"Evra has been fantastic this season and getting Edwin van der Sar back was crucial. It does give us a far more solid look."

What is your prediction for the game? Have your say.

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ribery's ankle, Amsterdam (20/03/2010 at 14:24)

I for one hope not!!!
However I DON"T hold my breath!!,..(or perhaps well!!!..)
He has horrors againts the best srtrikers!!
The reason why he will be sold in summer!!
Come On You Reds

ribery's ankle, Amsterdam (20/03/2010 at 14:32)

Evra is for me the MOST consistent performer this season!!! If Roo shoots us towards PL champs the HE'LL be POS!
For me at moment it's a dEfender EVRA who's the man we miss if he doesn't play!!
How MANY games can he consecutively play, I wonder!??

Bigmouth strikes again, Manchester (20/03/2010 at 15:06)

And the last 3 games v Liverpool, We haven't had Fletcher in the team. He helps the defence and is a massive team player. We are a better team when he plays.

Is It Me? (20/03/2010 at 15:27)

Jos is back early April.Maybe he could give Pat a rest in some of the easier games,like City away!

Brian Taylor (20/03/2010 at 15:28)

In each of the last 3 defeats to Liverpool the over-riding factor in us losing to them was they were 'up for it' & wanted it more than the United players on the pitch! This must not be allowed to happen again. We have to win the battle before we can impose ourselves on them. There can & should not be ANY complacency from either the Players OR Fans tomorrow! It's an early kick-off so the fans need to get really up for it to ensure that the players are too. So EVERYONE make sure you're 'up for it it' tomorrow! Don't sit on you're bums, let the United players know we're behind them! COME ON UNITED!!!

LEASE ON COUNCIL HOUSE IS 250 YEARS, MANCHESTER (20/03/2010 at 15:39)

I THINK VIDIC CAN HANDLE TORRES BUT WHO GONNA HANDLE ROONEY FOR LIVERPOOL !!!! 3-1 TO UNITED. LUHG.

Brora boy, Highlands (20/03/2010 at 16:10)

I don't see Giggs walking into a starting role after such a lay off so Valencia Fletcher Carrick Park and Nani in the middle for me. Tons of pace on the wings and lots of energy in the middle. Let Carrick sit just in front of Rio and Vidic with Fabio/Raphael and Evra on the corners. Carragher has been around but has no pace so Nani should give him a tough afternoon and ditto for Valencia on the other wing. It's a massive game with Arsenal and Chelsea having relatively easy games so if everyone is up for it, we should end this bad run of form against them.

Bill Wirral (20/03/2010 at 16:28)

More amazing statements all about Vidic and the horrendous games he has against superior opposition. Rubbish utter rubbish. He has had more great games against all comers than bad ones and yes he has had some bad ones especially against El Torro. But how many other CB's have had a torrid time against Torres. He is one heck of a class act so lets all remember the great games that Vida has played and get off his case.
Rooney had a stinker against Everton but nobody mentions that so why mention a bad game that another player has had. Everyone suffers a loss of form sometime so take that into consideratin as well.

blacksocks, stretfordend (20/03/2010 at 18:29)

Surely Rio is the one to mark Torres ?

Gilly, Belgium (20/03/2010 at 18:29)

keep your wits about u and dont loose your cool Namanja !

I saw Duncan Edwards play, Walton Le Dale (20/03/2010 at 18:30)

Good point Bill Wirral at 16.28. There IS far too much emphasis on how Vidic will play tomorrow. What is the point of heaping unnecessary pressure on our 'murderous' Serbian? Those last three games are now history and he will have learnt from them.

Nemanja could do no better than giving Brucie a ring before the game. I recall Brucie once being interviewed before a particular game for us, and he was asked how would he cope with the opponent's striker, he is very fast you know. Brucie replied " Ah, but how fast can he limp"?

Roll on tomorrow!

Forever United (Glazer or not)...., India (20/03/2010 at 18:51)

The main difference is going to be Fletcher....his comments show he is working himself up for the game, and in his state of frenzy, he might carry the team through to the finish line rather than anybody else....the guy plays for the shirt in a sense of pride like no one else on that team sheet....three wins for Loserfools against us is a wrong he will set right tomorrow....as for Steven Gerrard, I think after tomorrow's trampling by Fletcher in midfield, he'll end up wishing he'd got the deserved suspension....

danny, WILMSLOW (20/03/2010 at 19:19)

If Zola keeps his job I will eat my hat. West Ham are a disgrace what an opportunity to get one over on Arsenal, they played so many balls backwards they are in the wrong division they should get relegated.Zola is a joke as a manager and gets no effort from his players.

red (21/03/2010 at 01:24)

you have to man mark Torres for at least the first 45 minutes. hard running on his back . put Evans in midfield to do that..... or Hargreaves. nodody else is up to it. he'll run at and past Rio and Vidic.

reddevil4ever, India (21/03/2010 at 08:29)

C'mon Vida, your chance to show you are the matador against El Torro !

Vanya/Vanja, Montenegro/Crna Gora (21/03/2010 at 08:40)

I am not worried about Nemanja's playing today. He is gonne be terrific as almost always. Go United!!!!
Ajde Nemanja, pokazi im kako se igra kad je najpotrebnije. Ti si legenda!!!

manc abroad, OT (21/03/2010 at 09:50)

Think there has been some poor ref decisions in the ganes as well. Carragher has got away with murder without so much as a booking.

Barry Lee, USA (21/03/2010 at 10:18)

Hope we don't get Wiley who loves Liverpool. The refs have probably already been told to red card a United player if at all possible, preferably Rooney and to make it straight red so he will be out for 3 games. Under no circumstances will they card Golden boy Gerrard. In the last week he has gotten away with 2 red card offenses. It is 12 v 11 today but we always do well when we are a man down.

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