A true captain.
Nemanja Vidic will go down in Manchester United supporters’ memories as one of the greatest captains in the club’s history and for good reason.
The towering Serbian defender led from the back during his spell at Old Trafford and while he upheld a reputation for no-nonsense tackles and a ruthless drive to win at all costs, he had a softer side to him.
Vidic knew how to unite the dressing room and it is gestures like the one he offered to young forward Giuseppe Rossi in 2006 that encapsulate Vidic’s character.
The Red Devils had just won the League Cup but Rossi, who had started the earlier games in the side’s cup run, was not awarded a medal and was forced to watch his teammates’ celebrations from the sidelines.
But as the champagne dried and the podium was disassembled at the Millennium Stadium, Vidic pulled Rossi aside and handed him his medal.
“Nemanja told me I deserved it more than him,” Rossi said via Manchester Evening News. “I was shocked because I wasn’t expecting that, but that’s another story I won’t forget from my United days.”
Rossi made just 14 appearances for United in total and following a pair of loan deals, the American-born Italian international moved to Villarreal, where he put together a respectable scoring record of 82 goals in 192 appearances.
Rossi has since spent time at Fiorentina, Levante and Celta Vigo however the striker will never forget his brief but memorable time in Manchester, where the foundations of his career were moulded by Sir Alex Ferguson.
“He was a great human being,” Rossi said of Fergie.
“I like to always see the human aspect of the person and he showed great respect to his players and everyone working around Carrington – the groundsmen, cafeteria people, youth coaches, etc.
“That’s what stood out the most because in high-profile positions, it’s easy to lose sight of the little things – but not Sir Alex. That’s why I have tremendous respect and admiration for him.”
