Man Utd legend Nemanja Vidic slams club’s recruitment and questions the ‘character and resilience’ of players
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Nemanja Vidic criticised the club’s players and recruitment with a brutal assessment.
Vidic, 43, won five Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League and three League Cups during his eight-year stint at Old Trafford where he amassed a staggering 300 appearances.
The centre-back continues to watch his beloved club and didn’t hold back on United‘s worst ever start to a Premier League season.
The ex-Serbia international questioned the players’ “character and resilience” and even dismissed claims that they are under too much pressure.
In fact, the former defender insists the Red Devils’ flops could do with some real pressure so that they can finally understand the true demands of the club they are playing for.
Vidic told Sky Sports: “Honestly, I don’t think it’s [the] pressure [of] playing for Man Utd. The way Man Utd fans support the club and the players…
“They don’t have pressure at all. Because they’re still behind the players and the coaches. I think they need pressure. I think those players, they definitely need pressure. We are all expecting more from them.
“Even now we have some fantastic players. I think my question is more about the characters, resilience, [being] ready to compete, to give extra and compete week in week out.
“I remember when I was playing for Man Utd: Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans – [I was thinking] they were coming to take my place.
“I was scared I was going to lose my place. And that’s normal. If I’m not performing well, they will bring in a new guy. No one had to tell me that.”
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Man Utd have splashed well over £1billion since Sir Alex Ferguson‘s retirement in 2013 and bought hefty flops, such as Angel Di Maria, Alexis Sanchez and Antony.
Vidic insists the team’s recruitment needs to change and focus on the right characters rather than the biggest names.
The Serbian added: “So a job needs to be done in the next few transfer windows. Not just players they are going to bring in, I think some players definitely have to try and find new teams.
“Sometimes you don’t need the best player in the world to play for your club, but you need the right character.
“If you want to play for the big clubs, competing for the trophies, you have to be consistent.
“And that’s not just down to quality, it’s down to mentality. That’s the key for me.”
