Nemanja Vidic has been singing the praises of Ryan Giggs as did Dimitar Berbatov last week. Giggs has just signed a new one year deal which will take him to 19 years service at Old Trafford at the age of 35, mind boggling figures indeed.Giggsy is already the most decorated player in English football history and given United's present dominance, the chances are Giggs will be adding to his collection over the next 18 months.
Vidic has been playing alongside Giggs for just three years of Giggs' near two-decade stint, yet the Serbia defender has been around long enough to be aware of the standards Giggs sets and, should any player ever ask Vidic for the finest example of a professional footballer, he would have no hesitation putting the Welshman's name forward.
"Young players need to look at Ryan," he said. "He is a complete professional and any young player can learn from him about how to develop themselves and how to have a big career and a long career. He has done very well this season and I am glad he has signed a new contract and will be part of this squad for another 18 months."
Cast your mind back about 6 weeks when Giggsy 'owned' Chelsea big time, or just to last week when he came in from the touchline and scored a magnificent gola, these are still the standards Giggs sets for himself.
"He has been at this level for 18 years," said Vidic. "To do that at Manchester United is not easy. In order to keep winning trophies for that long you don't just need football ability, you must be mentally tough as well."
Having failed to become the first player for well over a century to complete a fifth win in the FA Cup two years ago when United were beaten in the final at Wembley by Chelsea, victory over Derby at Pride Park today, would leave Giggs just three wins away from making amends.
United have already been to the Midlands outfit once this season, 24 hours after Nigel Clough had been installed as permanent successor to sacked Paul Jewell. They were beaten too as Kris Commons lashed home the winner.
But Vidic, knowing the stakes are high, is not expecting a repeat.
"We only have one game this time around and we know it will be hard, Derby will want to finish it as well. They don't want to come to Old Trafford because they know it will be more difficult for them there. They have a good team and the atmosphere will be quite intense. But we have the experience from last time and if we take our chances, I am sure we can do well.".....Back To Home Page...
