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Nemanja Vidic in Hong Kong: Manchester United legend says old club can win Premier League title with new signings
- Legendary former captain believes the additions of Mason Mount, Andre Onana, and Rasmus Hojlund could tilt title race in United’s favour
- Speaking in Hong Kong, Vidic singles out Lisandro Martinez as one of Erik Ten Hag’s ‘best players’ and hopes he hits last season’s highs
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Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic believes his former team have made the right signings to challenge neighbours Manchester City for the English Premier League title.
Erik Ten Hag has added midfielder Mason Mount, goalkeeper Andre Onana, and striker Rasmus Hojlund to a squad that last season finished third, winning the League Cup and reaching the FA Cup final.
The first two of those new names started in United’s opening 1-0 victory of the season over Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday night, and 41-year-old Serbian Vidic expects the club to be strong contenders this season.
“We have made good signings, but the most important thing is that Erik has brought the winning mentality as well as the team spirit,” Vidic said at a community event at Sha Tin Racecourse Sports Ground on Sunday.
“I am expecting a good season and for us to play good football as well. I believe we can actually challenge for the Premier League this season.
“Our fierce rivals City have been doing really well and even won the Uefa Champions League.
“But I believe that we are getting closer to them and we can challenge that position. And not just the position, also [improve our offensive game] with a lot of goals.”
Pep Guardiola’s City, who claimed the treble last season, have scored 94 and 99 goals in the past two league campaigns, while United netted only 58 and 57, respectively.
“I’d say City is a good place to play as a striker because they play offensive football, and you always have chances,” Vidic said, citing City’s Erling Haaland as the best striker in the league.
“Obviously those chances he has, he always takes them, so he’s something like Didier Drogba in my time.
“But it’s difficult to compare generations, every generation has its own players so this is amazing.”
Having played for the Red Devils from 2006 to 2014, and having served as captain from 2011, Vidic highlighted defender Lisandro Martinez as one of the team’s new leaders.
The Argentine World Cup winner joined the Old Trafford club from Ajax last summer, for an initial £48.6 million (US$61.7 million).
He quickly became a fans’ favourite before an Achilles injury ruled him out of the final stages of the season, with his absence felt.
“Martinez brought the energy we needed. He is the player that likes to defend, and obviously he’s good on the ball,” Vidic said.
“I’d say he was one of the best players for us last season, and he’s ready, so I’m looking forward to seeing him playing. Hopefully he’s going to do well like he did last season.”
Vidic also revealed he now has all of his Uefa coaching badges, as he looks to return to the game in a new role.
“Whatever you do now [in football] you need to have an overall knowledge,” he said. “Be it a coach, a CEO, or a sports director, I want to have that knowledge and will try to find a role which suits me.
“I want a role where I can make a difference, and help football get better. It can be a club or a national federation but the aim is to make the project better.”
Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic believes his former team have made the right signings to challenge neighbours Manchester City for the English Premier League title.
Erik Ten Hag has added midfielder Mason Mount, goalkeeper Andre Onana, and striker Rasmus Hojlund to a squad that last season finished third, winning the League Cup and reaching the FA Cup final.
The first two of those new names started in United’s opening 1-0 victory of the season over Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday night, and 41-year-old Serbian Vidic expects the club to be strong contenders this season.
“We have made good signings, but the most important thing is that Erik has brought the winning mentality as well as the team spirit,” Vidic said at a community event at Sha Tin Racecourse Sports Ground on Sunday.
“I am expecting a good season and for us to play good football as well. I believe we can actually challenge for the Premier League this season.
“Our fierce rivals City have been doing really well and even won the Uefa Champions League.
“But I believe that we are getting closer to them and we can challenge that position. And not just the position, also [improve our offensive game] with a lot of goals.”
Pep Guardiola’s City, who claimed the treble last season, have scored 94 and 99 goals in the past two league campaigns, while United netted only 58 and 57, respectively.
“I’d say City is a good place to play as a striker because they play offensive football, and you always have chances,” Vidic said, citing City’s Erling Haaland as the best striker in the league.
“Obviously those chances he has, he always takes them, so he’s something like Didier Drogba in my time.
“But it’s difficult to compare generations, every generation has its own players so this is amazing.”
Having played for the Red Devils from 2006 to 2014, and having served as captain from 2011, Vidic highlighted defender Lisandro Martinez as one of the team’s new leaders.
The Argentine World Cup winner joined the Old Trafford club from Ajax last summer, for an initial £48.6 million (US$61.7 million).
He quickly became a fans’ favourite before an Achilles injury ruled him out of the final stages of the season, with his absence felt.
“Martinez brought the energy we needed. He is the player that likes to defend, and obviously he’s good on the ball,” Vidic said.
“I’d say he was one of the best players for us last season, and he’s ready, so I’m looking forward to seeing him playing. Hopefully he’s going to do well like he did last season.”
Vidic also revealed he now has all of his Uefa coaching badges, as he looks to return to the game in a new role.
“Whatever you do now [in football] you need to have an overall knowledge,” he said. “Be it a coach, a CEO, or a sports director, I want to have that knowledge and will try to find a role which suits me.
“I want a role where I can make a difference, and help football get better. It can be a club or a national federation but the aim is to make the project better.”