Do Vidic & Ferdinand Hold the Key to Manchester Utd’s Success?

FanCast columnist Jamie King looks at the impact Nemanja Vidic has had alongside Rio Ferdinand and wonders whether the two of them hold the key in Man Utd quest for a 2nd Champions League success.

As United maintained their 100% run in the Champions League this season I was left thinking what's been the key? There's the twinkle toe genius of Ronaldo, the power of Rooney but there's also a defensive partnership like none other. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have quickly become one of the strongest centre-back set ups in not only the Premiership, but in Europe.  

Several have had their opportunity to form a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the back but all have failed to cement it as their own. Silvestre had a spell, versatile player John O'Shea gave it a shot and Wes Brown had his chance but none were able to make the sort of impact that United needed if they were to really challenge for European honours. The emergence of Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic has finally ended Sir Alex's search. 

This year, United have conceded just 7 in the Premiership, a feat bettered only by Liverpool. A run of 8 clean sheets (excluding the Carling Cup defeat) beginning in late August have seen United secure knockout football in Europe's elite competition with time to spare.  

Sir Alex will be seeing the Ferdinand-Vidic partnership as an integral set up to United's hopes of a silverware packed season. Manchester United is as good as anyone going forward and they've now equalled that at the back. A recipe Fergie hopes is tasty enough for a second Champions League success. 

It seems like a lifetime ago that Vidic made a rather cringe-worthy start to his United career. A shaky performance at the City of Manchester stadium in particular had many dubbing him as Sir Alex's latest failure. Who would have then thought that he was going to turn out to be one of the finest defenders in the world? A bold statement but one over the last 18months, he's clearly justified. There are few who can attack a ball the way Nemanja does and this has seen him become as useful at the back as going forward, five times he's made goalkeepers retrieve the ball from the goal in his short United career.  

Fellow defender, Patrice Evra made his United debut in the defeat at City that season and has also become a firm fans favourite. Like Vidic it wasn't the most convincing start to his Red Devils career, but his performances have seen red fans watch his every move with expectant eyes. 

What is now a less than important game in Rome two weeks from now, should see youngsters Danny Simpson and Gerard Pique be given a chance to show what they can do at the back.  

Defensively solid and mesmerizing going forward Manchester United are a side nobody will want to be paired with when the draw for the knockout stages of the Champions League is made. After the disappointment of Milan surely it's time for Manchester United's long awaited return to the top of European football, roll on February