Tall, uncompromising and solid as a rock, Nemanja Vidic is the epitome of what a United captain should aspire to. 

Relentless in the tackle and formidable in the air, Vidic has become one of the League’s most feared defenders and has been a key factor in United’s recent silverware gluttony. The Serbian began his career with boyhood club Red Star Belgrade, joining their youth programme at 14. His first-team debut didn't arrive until 2001 but he went on to make 22 appearances in his first season.

He eventually ended his stay with Red Star by leading them to Serbia's domestic league and cup

double before switching to Russian outfit Spartak Moscow in August 2004. Just 39 games and four goals later, United came calling. The Reds announced his signing on Christmas Day, 2005.

He hadn’t played for two months as the Russian season had recently ended, so it took time for his true ability to shine. But after completing an intensive training programme, Vida began to show his class. A collarbone injury sustained at the end of March 2007 kept Vidic out of the bulk of United's title run-in that season, but his performances until that point had been strong enough to help the Reds to the top of the league. His play also inspired a