24 November 2023 , 12:53
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Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed that Nemanja Vidic "wasn't all that" in a damning assessment of the Manchester United great.
The Serbian signed as an unknown quantity in 2007 from Spartak Moscow, is regarded as one of the Premier League's finest centre-halves. He helped United win a hat-trick of league titles following his arrival - later winning another two - and also added the Champions League in 2008.
Agbonlahor though has ranked a number of players ahead of Vidic and appeared to pour water on the idea that he was an elite defender. He named Rio Ferdinand, Vidic's centre-half partner, as among the best central defensive partnerships possible with John Terry as his other pick.
He told talkSPORT: "Vidic wasn't all that! Van Dijk is better than Vidic. 100%. (Virgil) Van Dijk & (Vincent) Kompany over Vidic. JT (John Terry) and Rio (Ferdinand) are the best."
Vidic was part of a United backline that once went 14 games without conceding to set a club record. Ferdinand was also part of that defensive unit and has previously heaped praise on his sidekick.
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He said: "He became a defender that was feared. He could fight with the most physical, he crunched into tackles, and he attacked the ball better than anyone I have ever seen. But, as he will tell you with a smile, he could also play with the ball too, which made him complete and a great defender."
Vidic proved to be one of Ferguson's best buys, signing him for a bargain £7million. The defender has confessed he was convinced to join the club after they wowed him and even signed for less money than he was on whilst playing in Russia.
Nemanja Vidic was a huge success at Man Utd (PA)He previously told Ferdinand’s Vibe With Five podcast: “Then we went to the hotel, everything was great. The next day, I had negotiations about everything that was happening with my future. Then he would take us to the airport and, again, put in the bags and take us to the airport.
"[He said] 'Okay, see you in 10 days.' Because at the time, I had to take the visa and all this stuff. When I was on the aeroplane, I was looking through the window and I said: 'Wow, man. I’m going to play for Man United.' I was thinking about Fergie taking the bags. At that moment, I was thinking: 'Wow, I signed for less money than I had at Spartak Moscow for Man United! I said: 'Never mind, I'm playing for Man United!'"