Nemanja Vidic was oustanding during 2007/08, a campaign in which the Serbian's partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the Reds' defence was key to United's double success.

As if to emphasise the fact, Vidic turned in a man-of-the-match performance in the Champions League final, keeping a tight reign on Chelsea dangerman Didier Drogba; the Ivorian hitman only had one meaningful shot on goal during a tense night in Moscow.

Against the "big four" sides, Vidic helped United keep clean sheets against Chelsea and Liverpool on their league visits to Old Trafford, and against Arsenal

in the FA Cup. His fellow professionals recognised his talent, too, naming him in the PFA team of the year for the second successive season.

Tall, athletic and solid as a rock, Vida is uncompromising in the tackle and formidable in the air. He 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 collar-bone 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 rousing song of his

own among the matchgoing faithful.

The Serbian’s impressive performances continued and earned him a contract extension in 2007 to keep him at the club until 2012.

He said of the improved deal: “Playing in this team is a great privilege. This is such a great club, I am delighted to be able to extend my stay here. The fans and everyone at the club have been very special to me. I hope I can do my bit to bring the club even more trophies in the years ahead.”

True to his word, he did just that.