Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Nemanja Vidic dropped an eye-opening critique on what he saw from one former Manchester United teammate that he fortunately played alongside at Old Trafford.
The 44-year-old Serbian shared the pitch with a roster of Manchester United legends, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
Nemanja Vidic carved out his own reputation as one of the best Premier League defenders of all time after his partnership with former teammate Rio Ferdinand.
The former Man Utd captain made one of the more interesting observations around Wayne Rooney after he had called it time on his own legendary playing career.
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Nemanja Vidic is right in principle about Wayne Rooney, but the Man Utd icon selflessly limited his own potential
Wayne Rooney’s prime will forever be etched in the back of the minds of Manchester United fans after the former England striker’s stunning impact at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old United icon’s legacy in football can often be played down after his decline post-Old Trafford and before his retirement while he was at Derby County.
Vidic was in awe at all of Rooney’s different qualities, but the ex-Man Utd defender was convinced that his former teammate could have hit an even higher level.
“He was a team player, too,” he told The Athletic.
“You could see him running out wide to get the ball from the full-back. I know he scored a lot of goals, but Rooney is not a selfish forward who is only about scoring goals.
“Rooney was fast and physically very strong. He had a great career and will be recognised as one of the biggest and best strikers of English football, but I think he could have done even more — if he’d had the dream to do so.”
Amazon Prime TV Pundit and Former Footballer, Wayne Rooney, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield on April 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
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There is merit in Vidic’s observation around Rooney, especially as it was felt that the ex-Man Utd and England striker could have added more to his already remarkable legacy.
However, Rooney’s feat of becoming Man Utd’s all-time leading scorer is even more impressive for the selfless sacrifices that he made in his prolific playing career.
Cristiano Ronaldo might not receive the same words from Vidic as Rooney did, but the United legend benefited from his ex-teammate sacrificing his role to help him.
Rooney would drift out to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to become more central during their link-up with Carlos Tevez under Sir Alex Ferguson at the Red Devils.
The same could be said in Man Utd’s final Premier League title-winning side after Rooney played a supporting role behind former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.
Rooney’s biggest disappointment, above all others, was not lifting any silverware with England after the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ period for the Three Lions.