RIO FERDINAND has called Nemanja Vidic his favourite ever centre-back partner following the Serbian defender’s retirement from football today.
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| Vidic and Ferdinand were rock solid together at Manchester United |
And the former England captain wrote a lengthy appraisal of Vidic on his Facebook page after his old team-mate announced his retirement today because of injury problems.
Ferdinand wrote: “I’m always asked about our partnership, did you do specific training etc.... Not really no, it was something that just worked very naturally.
“He was very aggressive, loved attacking the 1st ball in or out of the box, getting right into the opposing strikers & i liked the sweeping up and covering type stuff...but our partnership brought out the best in our games and made us strive harder to be the best.
“My favourite partner to play alongside - YES.
“He became a defender that was feared, he could fight with the most physical, he crunched into tackles, he attacked the ball better than anyone ive ever seen....but as he will tell you with a smile, he could also play with the ball too, which made him complete & a great defender.
My man Vida 🙌🏻⚽️
https://t.co/298dez5ag4 pic.twitter.com/rfUHp5nvC0
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) January 29, 2016
“Because he was soo good in the aggressive/attacking the ball areas people probably looked over his ability with the ball to his annoyance!
“As a friend he is made of the top stuff, always honest & thoughtful but also game for a laugh (when he is ready)!
“Manchester United miss him now & so will football. What a player.....what a guy.... Welcome to retirement bro! Rio.”
It was a pleasure to play alongside this man, a player who I always looked up too! A legend @ManUtd Congrats Vida pic.twitter.com/N9K9bHfRtt
— Phil Jones (@PhilJones4) January 29, 2016
Ferdinand and Vidic both left Old Trafford at the end of the 2013/14 season with the former Leeds and West Ham star retiring after one season with QPR the following year.
Young England defender Phil Jones, who United fans will hope can finally help to fill the gap left by Vidic and Ferdinand with Chris Smalling, said it was a pleasure to play alongside the former Serbian international.
Former teammate Michael Carrick also wrote on Twitter: “Congrats Vida on an amazing career. I was one of the lucky ones to have played with you. Great memories. Now Golf.”
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