If Rio Ferdinand was the Rolls-Royce, Nemanja Vidić was the tank parked next to it. The Serbian was about as aggressive and physical as centre-backs come, and strikers who drew him in a one-on-one tended to go looking for another route.
He threw himself in front of shots, made last-ditch tackles and played on through injuries. He would head the ball while someone's boot was in his face and carry on as if nothing had happened. His heading was exceptional and he won almost every aerial duel he went for.
A defender winning the big award
Twice, in 2009 and 2011, Vidić was named Premier League Player of the Season. Defenders rarely win it once. He did it two times in three seasons.
The team honours came with Manchester United: 5 Premier League titles and a Champions League. Alongside Ferdinand he formed a partnership many rate as the best in Premier League history, one the classy passer and the other the enforcer.
Fearless, blunt and very effective, Vidić made strikers' Saturdays a misery for years. The Serbian takes number 21.
Number 20 is up tomorrow.
