Ex-Manchester United shot-stopper Ben Foster has lifted the lid on why he absolutely dreaded training sessions with club icon Nemanja Vidic.
The legendary defender, famed for his take-no-prisoners style, is celebrated as one of the Red Devils’ most formidable backline bosses and was just as intimidating during practice as he was in actual matches. With a reputation for thunderous challenges, Vidic commanded massive respect from mates and adversaries alike, but wouldn’t hesitate to give a colleague a right earful over a basic blunder.
During his five-year tenure at Old Trafford, Foster clocked up 23 appearances and mixed it up with football royalty, including the Serbian powerhouse. Discussing his time at United on the Squeaky Bum Time podcast, Foster elaborated on Vidic’s fearsome alter ego, the one he kept under wraps until it was time to train.
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“Just talking about Nemanja, off the pitch he was fairly quiet wasn’t he,” Foster said. “But on the pitch, in training, that guy was a scary bloke, honestly.
“Horrible, honestly he did not care. If we were playing a five-a-side or six-a-side or something, if you were on his team, I used to think: ‘Please don’t be on Nemanja’s team, please don’t’.
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“Because if we didn’t win, if I let a goal in that he thinks I should have done better with, he was letting you know and he would dig you out and he was after everybody. Honestly, he was horrible in training but off the pitch completely different.”
Foster isn’t the only former United star to disclose Vidic’s intense training antics. United icon Paul Scholes has echoed the sentiment too, even labelling the Serbian defender a “lunatic”.
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The midfield maestro and 11-time Premier League champion said: “In training, he could be a bit moody and a nuisance in the box especially but a great centre half. He was perfect for English football he could head the ball, tackle. He was great, a really good player.
“I was fairly good at tackling. It was all calculated,” he said. “I was just getting people back. That’s all I was doing. I never instigated. If someone got me, there’s a chance I’d get them back. Vida [Vidic] had some tackles in the box, he could be a lunatic.”
During his eight-year stint at Old Trafford, Vidic racked up an impressive haul of silverware, including five Premier League titles, three League Cups, and a Champions League trophy, all under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson.