Deadline transfers are always enthralling, tense and, in the end, a relief. Clubs and the players will be in peace after the move. But then comes their performance. Deadline transfers are always a gamble. Sometimes, it will be a success. Sometimes, the result will be negative.
Premier League have witnessed some last-minute twists in the transfer window. One of those transfers that happened like this was with Manchester United and Nemanja Vidic. This deal was destined to create history, and years later, the Red Devils got one of the best defenders in their history.
The Serbian joined the Red Devils in 2006 and went on to enjoy eight successful years with the Manchester outfit. Vidic won five Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy during his time with the club. The centre-back was also named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year in 2009. He also has four PFA Team of the Year nominations.
Vidic is regarded by many as the perfect Premier League defender. He was a hard-tackling player known for his incredible judgment and aerial prowess. Vidic forged a formidable pairing with Rio Ferdinand at the Manchester United defence’s heart.
He is one of only three players to win the Premier League Player of the Season award twice, alongside Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo.
After establishing himself at Red Star Belgrade during the early 2000s, Vidić moved to Spartak Moscow in the summer of 2004. With Red Star Belgrade, He won the 2001–02 Yugoslav Cup. Vidic quickly gained the captain’s armband, and during his three years as captain, he scored 12 goals in 67 matches and ended his Red Star career on a high note by leading the club to a domestic double.
When he joined Spartak Moscow in 2004, the details of the transfer were not revealed, although it was reported that Vidic became the most expensive defender in the history of the Russian Premier League.
After playing two seasons for Spartak Moscow, Vidic signed for Manchester United for a fee of around 7 million euros on 25 December 2005.
During the 2006–07 Premier League season, Vidic formed a partnership with Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence, becoming one of the most prominent European football partnerships and becoming an established first-team player. In his first entire season playing for Manchester United, he made 25 appearances in the Premier League and ended the season winning his first league medal.
Nemanja Vidic is one of the best January transfers that happened in the English Premier League. In 2006, his transfer to Manchester United was a decisive swoop by the former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The player was also a target for Liverpool at that time. But United acted quickly and signed him as their player, and he turned out to become one of the best defenders in the history of the English Premier League and Manchester United.