VIDIC: I SKIPPED TRAINING TO SURVIVE
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."*
Now, in an interview with *France Football*, Vidic has opened up about the severity of his back issues, which dated back to his early career at Red Star Belgrade.
*"When you're a footballer, you shouldn't talk about your injuries... I had a herniated disc when I was at Red Star and I've had it my whole career. In Manchester, there were even periods when I didn't train, I just played the matches."*
Despite his struggles, Vidic was a key figure in United’s golden era under Ferguson. The Serbian reflected on the intensity of training at Carrington, where he faced world-class attackers daily.
"When I arrived, I was more scared of training sessions than matches. At Carrington, I was up against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Louis Saha, and Ruud van Nistelrooy. It was hard to survive!"
Vidic also shared his defensive philosophy, which made him one of the most feared centre-backs in the world.
"I love defending. I could read the action well and knew how to position myself to avoid having to sprint. Some people like to take part in the game, but I was happy if I didn’t let my opponent take the ball."
Throughout his career, he faced some of football’s biggest names and highlighted the toughest opponents he encountered.
"Even against a small team, I prepared as if I was going to face the best in the world. But I played against some fantastic players: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba… I'm also thinking of Alessandro Del Piero and Filippo Inzaghi, who I played against in my first game for Serbia."
Looking ahead, Vidic has expressed an interest in coaching but wants to prioritize his family for now.
"I'm still very interested, and I'd like to give it a go. But I'm not going to take on a club in the next few years because I have three young children, all of whom are footballers, by the way. I'm not ready to leave them yet."
For United fans, Vidic’s latest revelations provide insight into the sacrifices he made to stay at the top. Despite his injuries, his commitment and leadership cemented his place among the club’s all-time greats.