Rio Ferdinand admitted that another standout ex-Manchester United star would have been a perfect fit for him, despite his legendary partnership with Nemanja Vidic.
Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand struck up one of the best defensive partnerships in the history of Manchester United and in the Premier League era as well.
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Ferdinand has hailed Vidic’s influence on his playing spell at Old Trafford and both United legends were key parts of Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary teams of the past.
Vidic arrived at the Red Devils in 2006 from Spartak Moscow and the 44-year-old Serbian former centre-back would later be elevated to the United captaincy.
The ex-defender lifted five Premier Leagues, a Champions League and three League Cups during his prolific spell under former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Nemanja Vidic celebrated with former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand after he scored in the Premier League match against Hull City at Old Trafford in Manchester in 2008
Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand adores Nemanja Vidic, but the Man Utd legend wanted to play alongside Jaap Stam
Rio Ferdinand was at Manchester United long before Sir Alex Ferguson signed Nemanja Vidic, with the Red Devils legend arriving from Leeds United in 2002.
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The 47-year-old ex-TNT Sports pundit broke the British record transfer fee for the second time in his career after United landed Ferdinand in a stunning £30m move.
Ferdinand was brought to Old Trafford only the season after fellow United legend Jaap Stam was axed from the Premier League club in 2001.
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The former England and United defender has insisted that Jaap Stam could have “complemented” him in a centre-back partnership due to their playing styles.
“I reckon I would’ve formed the best partnership with Jaap Stam,” he said on Manchester United’s Inside Carrington podcast.
“Our styles would have complemented each other. He was big, strong, aggressive, on the front foot, and I would have been able to do the niceties around him.
“That would have been a good partnership.”
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Rio Ferdinand makes a Paolo Maldini point amid his admiration for Man Utd treble winner Jaap Stam
Jaap Stam was a key part of Ferguson’s treble-winning United squad in the 1998-99 season and had a sensational impact during his prolific spell at Old Trafford.
The 53-year-old Dutchman is widely considered one of the best Premier League defenders of all time and is deeply admired by United fans long after his career.
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United legend Ferdinand suggested that another dream partner in defence from any era of football would have been AC Milan and Italy icon Paolo Maldini.
However, the footballer-turned-pundit believes that a dream partnership with Stam would have made it hard for United to concede in matches.
“Maldini is the obvious one, but Jaap Stam, I don’t think we would have conceded many goals,” Ferdinand added.
Stam’s run at United came to an abrupt end in 2004 after his high-profile falling out with Ferguson, with the former Red Devils defender being sold to Serie A side Lazio.
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