TOUGH guy Nemanja Vidic is finding Premiership defending like a boxing match - but he's aiming to become king of the ring.
United's é7m no-nonsense Serb is developing into a cult figure at Old Trafford with his uncompromising resistance.
He has endured numerous cuts and bruises since making his debut in England back in January at Wolves in the FA Cup.
But his recent four-game spell against West Brom, Birmingham, West Ham and Bolton, in place of groin injury victim Wes Brown, is winning the former Spartak Moscow stopper a new army of Old Trafford fans.
Vidic, though, is promising United's support that they haven't seen the best of the 24-year-old yet.
"The Russian League is a tough competition and so was the Serbian League where I played with Red Star Belgrade, but the Premiership is physically even harder," Nemanja told M.E.N. Sport.
"Every game is a big battle here in England. I have discovered it is like a boxing match for me. I just have to make sure that I am not the one on the floor in the future!
Foul
"The big difference is what referees in England will tolerate in comparison to Russia. I am still thinking what it was like back there and suddenly I find that there is an arm holding me down or hands on me stopping me.
"Use of the arms or hands on an opponent is just not allowed in Russia. I am expecting a foul sometimes over here and you hesitate waiting for the whistle and it doesn't come.
"I would have expected a foul in certain situations when I was with Spartak, for instance, but with United the game plays on.
"I am not saying it doesn't suit me. I think the physical side of the English game is something I can certainly handle and cope with. I have just got to adapt very quickly to the way the game is played and refereed over here. Then I am sure I will be OK."
Sir Alex Ferguson bought Vidic from Spartak during the transfer window, but after a winter break in Russia the Serbia and Montenegro international defender had to undergo a rapid `pre-season' for the Reds, before being plunged into his Molineux debut.
"The first few months here in Manchester have been very difficult," Nemanja added.
Communicate
"The manager, club and players have been great asking me every day if there is something I needed. But it was difficult to communicate. I was living in a hotel and getting used to your football and the culture over here. Everything was thrown at me at once.
"On top of that I was very aware that the fans would have been asking `who is this player?'. United had bought me and I was an unknown really. Obviously people were very keen to see what they were getting for é7m.
"I was very aware I was under the spotlight and I wanted to repay the faith the club have had in me. But I am learning and adapting to everything.
"I am living in a house now and my English is improving so I don't feel as detached from everything. I can join in with the lads. It is all helping me on the field.
"I think I am now starting to play better and better. I want to prove that I can be a very valuable member of United.
"This is just the beginning of what I am capable of. I know I can get a lot better and prove why I was brought here.
"I think next season you will see the best of me. I will show the real Nemanja Vidic then."
How much of a difference has Vidic made to United's defence? Have your say.
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Very interesting to read his comments - he is absolutely right of course.
Living in a hotel, not speaking the language particularly well, not knowing your team mates - all make the job of playing much more difficult.
Having said that he has shown enough already to be very optimistic about his long term future at Utd.
Centre half is probably the most difficult position to slot into for any new player and it will take time for him to show his true capabilities.
Its easy to see why he has won over the fans - the guy is totally commited and is obviously proud to wear the shirt - that goes a long way with the fans - Kevin Moran and Steve Bruce were loved by us for the same reason.
With Wes and Gabby to come back we really are going to have a back four who will give everything for the shirt and that really does inspire me for next year.
A really classy midfielder for the summer and the jigsaw is virtually complete
Keep giving 100% Nemanja and you'll have 76,000 right behind you.
Keep the faith!
Oh I think he has made a big impact. Wes was on a great form and suddenly he was injured again. But Nemanja has come in and reaised the bar even higher. He has impressed me with his style of play. But he will have to take out Henry on sunday, so that should be an interesting factor of the game
Totally agree with oldredeyes. As a centre-half, he is supposed to constantly anticipate what his team-mates are going to do. It's probably the hardest position to play when you join a new team, never mind language barriers and a new style of refereeing. I can't think of any other foreign centre-half who's slotted in as smoothly as Vidic. Remember how long it took Stam to settle? If he keeps this up he'l be a legend in no time.
I've got to say that is a very honest interview! Although he said it has been hard, his performances have been top draw to be fair and obviously he can only get better. Of course, sunday will be the big test and i'm backing him all the way! He was an excellent player before he arrived and we just need to give him time to settle and get used to everything. But he is extremely committed and when Wes and Gabby return we will have a completely committed and technically great back line. Come on Nemanja stop that damn french man for us on sunday, you know which one i'm talking about!
From what i have seen so far, he looks a cheap requisition compared to the money we paid for Rio.
Wasn't it (4x7)m + 2m=30m pounds.
Top man. My prediction for next season is that we're going to have the meanest defence in the league (we're not far off this year) and the highest scoring attack (we already have that this year). Which should mean two things - attacking, entertaining football and WINNING THE PREMIERSHIP BACK.
He's learning fast and next season it could be Ferdinand and Brown fighting for the second central defence position, although Wes also provides good cover at right-back ??" as does Pique. With Heinze back, I think we'll see a really mean back line next season, exactly the sort of foundation to build on.
Man UTD suddenly got army of fans here in Belgrade...
Since I know Vidic from 1998 when he was 17, I'll share this with you : even then (1998) he was dying
for the shirt he wears (red star belgrade). Vidic is very serious about his play, he doesen't care about night life, scandals, models, off the pitch things, he is simply 100% football ! And now, when fans are backing up his play, you'll
see how loyal he is. Great kid! Very old school, very focused, and very, very GREATFUL to play for the biggest club on the planet ! With some good coaching from Sir Alex, the best is yet to come!
With Vidic , Rio and Heinze definite
starters in next year's defensive set-up, the question remains on whether Neville is replaced by a younger player. But with Wes Brown, Pique and Bardsley all ready to step into the right back position, I think we're now all set in the back four sector. We're also OK up front with Rooney, Saha, RVN and Rossi. What remains is improving the midfield sector with two out of Ballack, Diarra, Mascherano or Gattuso - preferably the first two.
Although not buying the right midfielder[s] for the last 2 seasons and then lashing out scarce money on 2 defenders remains inexplicable, I agree that with Wes's injury problems, Piques inexperience and Rio's complacenct that Vidic's age and non-fancy Dan style, [Yes Rio I am refering to you!], that he is an important asset. However, can anyone explain Evra to me?
We miss you, Nemanja! All the best!
I love this guy like hot food. With steel at the back and our forwards scoring for fun, all we need is a stick of dynamite and an enforcer for the middle of the park. kenyon will be seeing AIG in his sleep, and if he dreams chelsea are a better team he'd better wake up and apologise.
Spartak is not ok without you, Nemanja. Good luck to you!
louis you idiot! Gary Neville is our inspirational captain, why would we replace him? Nobody gets up and down the wing with the same commitment that he does. Red through and through and easily the best right back in England if not the world. As for Vidic, top player.
Like what I've seen so far but that has been against West Brom, Birmingham, West Ham and Bolton. The real test of how good he is is when he is up against the likes of Henry and other top strikers. However, he has settled in well considering the premiership and life in England is new to him. Agree with the other comments about Evra, why did we buy him. He is too small and constantly gets outjumped, Silvestre has been doing a good job at left back, plus we have Oshea, Richardson, Spector on Loan and Heinze to come back. ??5 million on a decent central midfielder would have been better.
Andreja, a future captain when Nev is moved on?
Nemanja has really impressed me, I didn't expect to show so much composure in his first matches, but he's handled everything thrown at him. Nice to hear that he's down to earth, looks like Wes has got his work cut out to get his place back. Regarding Evra, I wonder if we're letting Silvestre go this summer, if not I don't see why we needed another left-back. Three is a bit excessive... This defence looks rock-solid, and with Heinze back next season there'll be a lot of sore forwards in the PL!
Vidic is as good or better than Ferdinand and I think he will be the next Jaap Stam.
Great find this lad, got gut's, vision, a no nonsense stopper, maybe a little raw yet, but all the ingredients are there to see. Like him a lot.
Yes, Yes, FUTURE CAPTAIN, You will see. Great Player... Stam WHO ?
Nemanja Vidic has really begun to impress after a naturally expected hesitant settling in period.
He, as a relative unknown, will prove to be a real steal at ??7m, something which the great Sir Alex used to be adept at doing.
With the youngsters coming through and the certain addition, thanks to the Glazers' financial brilliance of two world class midfielders, we will be set up to challenge for all the trophies next season.
Maybe if United can win the premiership Abramovich may get fed up with football and transfer his fortune into something I don't care about, like Formula 1 racing.
We can but hope!
Finally, I can't wait to bring my American cousin to OT next season, it will be marvellous seeing the re-developed stadium and visiting the megastore; I believe he wants to buy shirts for all the family (7 members) so the Glazers will be happy with me on that point.
I'm just happy that I can help drive the sale of merchandise and support the franchise in a meaningful manner.
In response to all the enquiries about the purpose of buying Evra: United heard Cjelski were after him, so we nipped in first, and asked questions later.
Seem like an excellent buy,he's worth the price, tough competition for Wes, good luck to both Wes and Nemanja-Man Utd all the way.
the new steve bruce? he certainly runs like him
Iggy, Derrick, let me try to answer ur question.......Evra is a back-up to leftback left mid (wif Giggs now shifted to CM)
or could Evra be used to get one of his talented french buddy here?