Staff : First Team : Nemanja Vidic

Nemanja Vidic is an uncompromising obstacle for any striker, a centre-back with the prerequisite qualities needed to make the grade at United.

He began his career with his boyhood club, Red Star Belgrade. Nemanja joined as a 19-year-old in the summer of 2001 and made 22 appearances in his first season. His leadership qualities quickly saw him made captain. After three successful years as skipper - scoring 12 times in 67 matches - he ended his stay with Red Star on a high by leading them to Serbia's domestic league and cup double. He made the switch to Russian outfit Spartak Moscow in August 2004 and soon became a regular starter. Just 39 games and four goals later, United came calling.

The Reds announced his signing from Spartak Moscow on Christmas Day, 2005. He hadn't played for two months as the Russian season had recently ended. It took a while for his true ability to shine through, but after completing an intensive training programme Vidic, or Vida as he is known, began to show his class.

A perfectly-timed tackle on Robin van Persie, starting the move for Wayne Rooney's goal, in the 2-0 win over Arsenal in April 2006 was an indication of what is likely to come from the agile defender. He is considered vital to Serbia & Montenegro's defence, which was dubbed 'the famous four’ during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, in which they conceded just one goal. Unfortunately, suspension and injury curtailed his - and Serbia's - chances of progressing past the group stages in Germany.

Position: Defender
Appearances: 50
Goals: 4
Joined United: 05 Jan 2006
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
Previous Clubs: Spartak Moscow
United Debut: 25 Jan 2006 v Blackburn (H)
International Serbia