Vidić’s crucial challenge vs Tottenham wins Legendary Tackles

Former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidić was a leader and a warrior at the heart of the Reds defense. His tackle vs. Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker in 2013 led to the game-tying goal.

Nemanja Vidić’s tenure at Manchester United is one for the record books. The former Reds skipper helped his team win three consecutive Premier League titles in his first three full seasons with the club from 2006 to 2009. We was part of the squad that made a record-breaking run of 14 consecutive shutouts in the 2008-09 season – a campaign for which he was also named Premier League Player of the Season. He would win the award again in 2011 – a feat only achieved by Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo before him – after leading his team back to Premier League glory. And how could we forget when he lifted the Champions League trophy along side the rest of the Old Trafford boys in 2008.

Now, ten years after the Serbian national player signed with Manchester United, fans have voted Nemanja Vidić winner of DHL’s #LegendaryTackles.

Watch the video here to relive Vidić’s Legendary Tackle and hear what United players and staff have to say about what makes a tackle legendary.

“Being captain of Manchester United is a big honor, but I believe this trophy is even bigger,” he said after bringing the Barclays Premiere League trophy back to Manchester in 2011. 

Seen as a leader and a warrior at the heart of the defense, Vidi? developed a bond with fellow defenseman Rio Ferdinand that sent crowds roaring and rendered commentators speechless. Over ten years with United earned him a reputation as one of the world’s best and most respected center-backs. He was strong, consistent player with a keen awareness on the pitch and acrobatic abilities in the air. 

Being captain of Manchester United is a big honor, but winning [the Barclays Premier League] trophy is even bigger.

Nemanja Vidić

“He had to be sure”
It was a crucial point in United’s away match on that first day of December, 2013. Just over 10 minutes into the second half, Tottenham were on the attack but overloaded on the left hand side and played the ball out across the penalty arc to a wide-open right hand side for Kyle Walker, who was screaming like a freight train toward the penalty area. Nemanja Vidi? went after the ball immediately and the crowd held its breath as they watched him make one of the most committed challenges you will ever see, winning the ball and upending Walker in the process. It was a glorious, clean tackle that upended Walker and robbed him of a potential one-on-one against de Gea.

“Vidić had to be sure – what a tackle that was!” exclaimed commentater Peter Drewery.

A tackle can get not just the team up, but the crowd up as well.

Denis Irwin, former full-back and United legend

Not only did Vidić deny Walker a scoring opportunity, the ball was picked up by Rooney who was immediately in Tottenham’s half. Seconds later United drew a penalty when Danny Welbeck was upended by Hugo Lloris and was able even the match at 2-2. 

“Vidić was one of the best I’ve seen here,” said former United full-back and United legend Denis Irwin. “Ferocious and full-blooded.”

Vidić’s Legendary Tackle was chosen by fans on Twitter as part of DHL’s #LegendaryMoments series. Be sure to follow @DHLManUtd to share your Legendary Moments throughout the season.

Relive the moments
In football as in life, the devil is truly in the detail. Like last season, we want to relive some of the great details – the #LegendaryMoments– in Manchester United history. Throughout the season that we will be looking back at some of the Red Devils Legendary Moments. We’ll dive into the great goals, assists, saves, tackles, dribbles and free kicks that have wowed Reds fans over the decades.

Next up is Dribbles. But with so many great ones to choose from, we want to hear what the players, club legends and fans think is the greatest. Follow @DHLManUtd and tweet us your #LegendaryDribbles.

Visit www.dhlmanutd.com to play BATTLESTATS and share your Legendary Moment.