Vidic praises Ferguson impact

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has hailed the influence of manager Sir Alex Ferguson during his 26 years at the club.

Ferguson’s achievements at the club are being commemorated with the erection of a statue outside Old Trafford, which will be unveiled on Saturday before United’s clash with Queens Park Rangers.

Vidic, who was brought to the club for a reported seven million pounds fee in 2006, believes the manager has not just influenced Manchester United, but the game itself.

“You learn something new from him every day. I have learnt a lot from him, not just as a footballer but in life,” Vidic told MUTV.

“He gives all the players great confidence and belief and he does all he can to get the best out of his players.

“He is an example to all managers. He has a big influence.”

The Serb is currently on the sidelines due to a knee injury and is set to return for the busy Christmas period.

The 31-year-old believes the next manager will have a tough time following in the Scot’s footsteps.

“He has faith in us and he trusts us and I’m really glad I have been able to spend nearly seven years working with him. He is a winner,” Vidic said.

“He gives all his knowledge I think he has set up the way the club should work – an example to all managers.

“Every time when you go in at half-time, or before the game, you always listen to what he’s going to say because it is always something different, something new and something which is going to help to improve the next half.

“He brings the character to the club. The standard he has set, the managers who come to the club after him will find hard to achieve.

“He is the winner – in every aspect.”