Vidic honoured with Red Devils Bailly comparison

His time at the Theatre of Dreams elevated him to legendary status at Manchester United, but Nemanja Vidic admits he is flattered to be compared with new centre-back Eric Bailly.

Vidic was part of the United side which claimed three successive Premier League titles starting a decade ago, with his partnership with Rio Ferdinand considered a significant part of the success of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Serb, struggling to bed himself into his first season in England after arriving midway through the 2005/06 season.

Bailly, however, has taken like a duck to water in the Premier League, winning the Red Devils’ man-of-the-match award in three of his first four competitive appearances, also scooping the Player of the Month accolade for August.

And the retired Serbian is now packing Bailly to be a focal point of United’s back four in years to come, predicting the 22-year-old still has plenty more to offer at Old Trafford.

Nemanja Vidic looking on with Sir Alex Ferguson during victory over Leicester. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

“If he keeps going as he is, he will definitely have a great career at United,” Vidic said.

“I’m glad that someone compares him to me and I hope he will be a player who does very well for us.

“He’s strong and composed with the ball. He’s a very confident player. He has a bit of everything. What I have seen in the first few matches is that we have a great player for the future and a player I would say we needed. He reads the game well. He already looks a big signing for us.

“I think he’s already popular with the fans. Of the signings we’ve had this year, I think he’s the one that has surprised everyone the most. He’s 22 years old and he went straight into the club and looks at home straight away. That’s outstanding for me.

“We know how many players come to England and need time to adapt and that, for me, is what is so impressive – he’s 22 and he has adapted straight away and showed some confidence which is important.”