Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has revealed the one player he had a ‘bust-up’ with in the dressing room during his successful eight-year stint at Old Trafford.
Vidic, who is widely regarded as one of United’s best centre-backs of the Premier League era, joined he Red Devils in 2006 and won five top flight titles and a Champions League before his exit to Inter Milan in 2014.
The Serb established himself as a tough, no-nonsense figure around the training ground and channelled this gritty mentality on the pitch, becoming an integral part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s perennial champions alongside centre-back partner Rio Ferdinand.
His behaviour and approach to training did not always land well with some of his team-mates, as former United goalkeeper Ben Foster explained in 2020, admitting Vidic was ‘scary’ and ‘horrible’ during sessions at Carrington.
Yet, despite his confrontational reputation, Vidic has urged that he only experienced one dressing room ‘bust-up’ with a team-mate during his spell in Manchester.
Speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, the former defender said: ‘At Manchester United, I had one bust-up in the changing room and that was with Anderson.’
Man United legend Nemanja Vidic (far right, top row) has revealed the one player he had a ‘bust-up’ with in the dressing room during his successful eight-year stint at Old Trafford
The Serb forged a superb partnership with fellow United legend Rio Ferdinand (left) and went on to win five Premier League titles and a Champions League during his time with the club
According to Vidic, he was involved in a row with Anderson (centre) – but it wasn’t a ‘big deal’
Former Brazilian midfielder Anderson was also at Manchester United for eight years between 2007 and 2015, chalking up over 100 appearances during that time.
Eager to downplay the incident, the Serb added: ‘It was something on the pitch then it got transferred to the dressing room. It was no big deal.’
Red Devils fans may be somewhat surprised to hear that Vidic was not referring to the infamous fallout he had with former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra.
Four years ago, the Frenchman opened up on how he and Vidic refused to talk for three months after they got into a fight as team-mates.
According to Evra, it even led to Ferguson switching Ferdinand to the left-side of defence to separate them on the football pitch.
After opening up on their friendship at Man United, the former left-back told the club website in 2021: ‘To be honest, we also fought. We had a fight, me and him, and didn’t speak for three months.
‘We played together and we didn’t even say a word. I never told him to go left or go right. He was the same. Ferguson had to swap Rio Ferdinand to play on the left side with me.
‘It was like that for three months until, after a game, I remember he came to me in the dressing room and gave me a high-five. Everyone was like “finally” because we were best friends together, Vida and me. We have a deep story together.’
Patrice Evra (right) previously revealed how he and Vidic once didn’t speak for three months
The former Man United and France star claimed Sir Alex Ferguson had to move Rio Ferdinand over to the left-sided centre-back position to separate Evra and Vidic after the pair fell out
Vidic, who recently appeared alongside former team-mate Gary Neville (left) at Soccer Aid, admitted he wants to remain in football in some capacity, perhaps as a sporting director
The pair experienced another fallout after Ferguson’s exit, involved in a furious bust-up during a 3-0 defeat against bitter rivals Liverpool under David Moyes.
Vidic, who was sent off after receiving two yellow cards from referee Mark Clattenburg, accused Evra of neglecting his defensive duties by leaving him exposed.
The Frenchman was said to have exploded with anger and had to be restrained by Moyes and other members of staff as the incident threatened to boil over at United’s Carrington training base.
Next year brings up a decade since Vidic retired from the game, and the 43-year-old has admitted he would love the opportunity to be involved in football in some capacity.
Speaking on what’s next for him, Vidic added: ‘I open an opportunity to be a coach, or to work in football as a sporting director, or even the Serbian president of the FA – that was the plan a few years ago – it didn’t happen but maybe it could happen in the future.’
Earlier in the podcast, he admitted that Manchester United would be his dream job should he take up management or coaching.
‘If I was to manage or coach anyone, it would have to be Manchester United. I like things when they’re difficult and to change something from difficult to good, this is something I like to do,’ he said.
