In a season when the Reds' defensive strengths rose to the fore, Nemanja Vidic was selected as the club's player of the year by fans and team-mates alike.
However, Vida's legion of voters will no doubt have considered his attacking contributions as well after a campaign in which he scored seven goals in all competitions - three more than all the other United defenders could muster in total. Only the forwards - Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov - could outscore him.
Start to finish: The cornerstone to any successful side is a solid defence. United conceded just 0.51 goals per game in 2007/08 when Vidic, Ferdinand and van der Sar all played, and in 2008/09 the trio continued where they left off. The Serbian missed just four league games and during the side’s astonishing defensive run, he won 75 per cent of his tackles, and made more than three times as many clearances as any team-mate.
Aggressive, assertive, assured... Vida was United's most consistent defender in 2008/09...
In a season when the Reds' defensive strengths rose to the fore, Nemanja Vidic was selected as the club's player of the year by fans and team-mates alike.
However, Vida's legion of voters will no doubt have considered his attacking contributions as well after a campaign in which he scored seven goals in all competitions - three more than all the other United defenders could muster in total. Only the forwards - Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov - could outscore him.
Start to finish: The cornerstone to any successful side is a solid defence. United conceded just 0.51 goals per game in 2007/08 when Vidic, Ferdinand and van der Sar all played, and in 2008/09 the trio continued where they left off. The Serbian missed just four league games and during the side’s astonishing defensive run, he won 75 per cent of his tackles, and made more than three times as many clearances as any team-mate.
In position: Vidic and Ferdinand formed an impenetrable wall for much of the season. And when Rio was injured, Nemanja assisted those chosen to play alongside him. He lined up with eight defenders during the amazing run of clean sheets.
Season highlights: Vidic - along with Edwin - was the only ever-present in the British record-breaking run of 14 consecutive league clean sheets. Not surprisingly, he won the PFA Player of the Month award in January.
Vital contribution: Nemanja’s last-minute goal against a stubborn Sunderland defence at Old Trafford in December was crucial, and he described his eighth strike in a United shirt as his most important. But he also provided an instant riposte to the officials’ blunder in disallowing the ‘corner trick’ opener against Chelsea, nodding in Giggs’ second delivery to ensure justice was done. He also drew first blood in the Reds' difficult Champions League last-16 tie against Internazionale at Old Trafford.
Any lows? The less said about the 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool the better, but suffice to say this was a rare off day for the Serbian, who had a chastening afternoon dealing with Torres and Gerrard and was eventually dismissed for his pains.
Any other business? Vida reached three figures twice this season: the Carling Cup game against Middlesbrough in September was his 100th competitive match for the Reds, while the home game against City in May was his 100th appearance in the league.
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