22 January 2024 , 15:16
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Gary Neville has offered a brutal response to Gabby Agbonlahor's assessment of legendary Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic.
The former Serbian international won five Premier League titles, three Carabao Cups, a Champions League and a Club World Cup during his tenure with the Red Devils. Across 300 appearances for the club, Vidic established himself as a legend at Old Trafford and beyond.
He twice won the Premier League Player of the Season award and made it into the PFA Team of the Season four times. While, the former Inter Milan ace clearly impressed some of his contemporaries, ex-Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor does not hold the defender in too high a regard.
Speaking on talkSPORT earlier this season, the 37-year-old noted that the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Vincent Kompany and John Terry were all better players. Not controversial in itself, but Agbonlahor appeared dismissive of Vidic's abilities.
He said: "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."
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Neville played with Vidic from 2006 when the centre-half joined from Spartak Moscow, until his own retirement in 2011.
A social media account highlighted that Agbonlahor suffered a difficult time in front of goal when facing off against Manchester United. Of course, Vidic's time in the division crossed over with with the bulk of Agbonlahor's Premier League career.
When the opportunity arose, it appears Neville was quite happy to hit back at the former Villa goalscorer. The Sky Sports pundit was happy to repost the information illustrating the former Watford and Sheffield Wednesday loanee's struggles.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United reacts to being sent off during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on January 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) (Getty Images)Stretford Paddock said on X: "So Gabby Agbonlahor has said Vidic is the most overrated defender in PL history and he didn't find it hard to play against him. Just a reminder that Agbonlahor played #MUFC 22 times in his career and won once, couldn't have been that easy then."
Vidic has never been short of defenders. Another former teammate in Rio Ferdinand, has taken his backline partner's side in comparisions to van Dijk.
The 45-year-old in one Instragram Q&A explained why he would choose the Serbian over Liverpool's star.
"Prime van Dijk or prime Vidic? Ooooh, good question," he said. "I’ve got to go with Vidic because he was my partner, man. He was my partner. He covered my back and I covered his. That was it."