Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has revealed that he often avoided training and only played matches during his time at Old Trafford due to a persistent back injury.

Signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in December 2005 for around £7 million, Vidic became one of the Premier League’s greatest defenders, winning 15 trophies, including five league titles. However, his time at United was eventually cut short due to injuries and a dip in form, leading to his departure under Louis van Gaal.

The Serbian moved to Inter Milan but retired just 18 months later after struggling with injuries, ending his contract by mutual agreement. Upon announcing his retirement, Vidic admitted:

*"The time has come for me to hang up my boots. The injuries I have had in the last few years have taken their toll."*

The first few matches of the new Premier League season have suggested that Manchester United still possess many of the same frailties in defence and midfield that proved so costly to them last season, and those thinking of betting on the Old Trafford club reclaiming their title with one of the sports betting or online casino gambling sites will have further cause for doubt with the news that another of the club’s defenders – Phil Jones – has now been ruled out of action for a further eight weeks.

While it is true that the 20 year old is not central to the club’s title bid – indeed he has not been able to start a match this season – and the news that he is facing a lengthy recovery time from knee surgery leaves the club even more short of reinforcements at the back.

Send your favourite player a Christmas message - amazing new service from www.contacttheplayers.com

You can send an email to the likes of Michael Mancienne and he replies!

Red Hot Football have all you need for a United Christmas - including the wrapping paper! Head to Red Hot Football

Nemanja Vidic and Zoran Tosic's Serbia are the latest 'United Nation' to qualify automatically for South Africa 2010 - at the expense of Patrice Evra's France.

As Group 7 leaders in Europe, the Serbs confirmed their likely passage to the World Cup finals in emphatic style on Saturday, hammering Romania 5-0. Vidic played for 73 minutes while Tosic was an unused substitute.

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is reportedly set to be rewarded for an outstanding season with a £1 million a year pay rise.

The Serbian defender was voted the club’s player of the season, after a series of stellar displays helped his side win yet another Premier League title.

Nemanja Vidic's agent has reiterated his statement that the Manchester United defender will not be leaving the club this summer despite reports linking him with a transfer.

Silvano Martina is adamant that no move is set to take place because the 27-year-old Serbian international wants to see out the remaining three years of his contract with the Red Devils.

Now you can send an email to Nemanja Vidic, thanks to a brand new website that delivers all electronic messages to the footballers within days!

Contact The Players.com allows fans to send personal messages - and some footballers will even REPLY!

Manchester United's rearguard has received relentless punditry acclaim for going 20+ hours without conceding a single league goal. That feat is made all the more remarkable when taking into account how many different defensive quartets Sir Alex Ferguson has had to field, due to a mounting injury list.

Ryan Giggs and his Manchester United team-mates may still believe they can win teh quadruple!

United are still in it to win it in the FA Cup and Champions league, whilst they top the Premier League adn are in the final of the Carling Cup!