It is hard to deny that Nemanja Vidic was one of the best defenders in the Premier League and in the world during his time at Manchester United.
Former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson built a formidable centre-back pairing between the 38-year-old Serbian and Rio Ferdinand, who would provide any 'keeper with the perfect line of protection.
However, there was one player that always seemed to have Vidic's number: Fernando Torres.
During Liverpool's heated matches with United, the former Red Star Belgrade and Spartak Moscow player would find himself getting a hard time from El Nino.
The former Red Devils star has now revealed why the 36-year-old Spaniard was one of his toughest opponents.
"Torres was a top player," he said. "At the time, he was probably the best striker in the league. He scored a few goals against United.
"In the Premier League, I had some good games against [Didier] Drogba, sometimes bad.
"I played well against Torres one week, then one game bad, that's the Premier League. You're not going to be on top of your game every week.
"It's why I like the Premier League. In one game, you're going to be against a strong player like Drogba, the next it'll be a Torres or [Sergio] Aguero.
"If people see me live, they say, 'I thought you were much bigger!' I was never big, but I gave everything in challenges.
"It's why I never got bigger because I knew the next week I'd have Torres or Aguero, so I never spent as much time in the gym as you have to adapt to players."
See his words below
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Vidic played for United from 2006 to 2014, making over 200 appearances during his time at Old Trafford and becoming a fan-favourite player.
He left the club in 2014 to spend two seasons at Inter Milan, though he failed to replicate his United days in Italy and retired in 2016.
AC9999
1
At the time Torres went to Liverpool, Henrt went to FC Barcelona. He was no longer at Premier League and when he was at FC Barcelona he started fading.
yeah right my bad I misread ur comment as Drogba was best of all time....but for Chelsea it will always be Drogba and for us Torres but both of them are legendary Players
Sahla_HDP
0
Yes, no doubt that Torres was one of the best in the world. But he was the 2nd best striker at the time in the league. The best striker was Didier Drogba!
Rooney was a centre forward. When he played as a striker he never delivered that much by leading the attack. That is why he always played behind Van Nilstelrooy, Saha, Alan Smith, Tevez, Berbatov, Chicharito, Van Persie, Falcão and Ibrahimovic. But no doubt that Rooney is one of best ever in Premiership.
Sahla_HDP
0
I will never forget the day drogba got red card after he attacked vidic after he was frustrated by vidic during the match [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
That was a crazy final in Moskow...
Sahla_HDP
0
although Torres at Liverpool was better but still the best was henry
At the time Torres went to Liverpool, Henrt went to FC Barcelona. He was no longer at Premier League and when he was at FC Barcelona he started fading.
Simon_YNWA77
0
I hope you know who David Villa is
David villa was a great striker as well, but El Niño was far better
Davanah
0
Yes, no doubt that Torres was one of the best in the world. But he was the 2nd best striker at the time in the league. The best striker was Didier Drogba!
Drogba😂😂😂😂😂
nimimruyz
0
He was the best Defender in his time, being best doesn't mean someone won't get past you, it means it won't happen all the time and frequently
puyol, nesta , Carvalho, sol Campbell, lucio all played cricket.
nimimruyz
0
everywhere
you are so bias
12UnitedGuyReborn
1
for man united?
everywhere
nimimruyz
0
He was the best Defender in his time, being best doesn't mean someone won't get past you, it means it won't happen all the time and frequently
for man united?
nimimruyz
1
Rio and vidic were both scared of El nino
jezabdnpyz
0
perfect description
Thanks.., Bruz. Take Good Care And Stay Healthy.
olwafestuz
4
El nino is just too good for him to handle 😂😂😂
Hibdlmntz
0
He never recovered from The serious injuries
ZawThihaAung
0
so sad for Vidic meet Torres best times
Mukalouy
1
Torres Was A Pain In Vidic's Neck... But Vidic Was The Pain For The Rest.
perfect description
12UnitedGuyReborn
5
He was the best Defender in his time, being best doesn't mean someone won't get past you, it means it won't happen all the time and frequently
sudbcdetu
2
He delivered the champions league trophy to Chelsea. Simple
Spartacus_Aye419
3
I will say Nino is the best striker representing Spain. Two European cups and one world cup. Not only played yet scored in the finals. There is no comparison for this achievement.
I hope you know who David Villa is
tiodemtu
1
excuse me young man.... Did you just said Ronaldo was better than Torres and Drogba in their prime... This alone could speaks it all. You just need to go back and watch those seasons for your stats to be balanced
all good become fucking shit when plays in Chelsea but even a average can become a superstar at Liverpool that's us and far ahead from u goons
Hodiknopry
2
I will say Nino is the best striker representing Spain. Two European cups and one world cup. Not only played yet scored in the finals. There is no comparison for this achievement.
AC9999
0
Yes, no doubt that Torres was one of the best in the world. But he was the 2nd best striker at the time in the league. The best striker was Didier Drogba!
although Torres at Liverpool was better but still the best was henry
ArmaniKel
1
Everyone is deluded. Torres at his Liverpool time was better than Drogba, or any other striker. The only player who was better than him was Cristiano Ronaldo. A player with two Euros and a world cup and being third on balon dr ranking and Drogba was better? Seriously y'all Chelsea fans judge him by Chelsea days but by then Torres had won a lot. I'm Afrin and Drogba is a legend but Torres? He's El Nidn
I disagree, cause there was a great man a legend playing for Arsenal, it seems you all forgot the great Thierry Henry.
jezabdnpyz
2
Torres Was A Pain In Vidic's Neck... But Vidic Was The Pain For The Rest.
mheedowsky25
0
Everyone is deluded. Torres at his Liverpool time was better than Drogba, or any other striker. The only player who was better than him was Cristiano Ronaldo. A player with two Euros and a world cup and being third on balon dr ranking and Drogba was better? Seriously y'all Chelsea fans judge him by Chelsea days but by then Torres had won a lot. I'm Afrin and Drogba is a legend but Torres? He's El Nidn
excuse me young man.... Did you just said Ronaldo was better than Torres and Drogba in their prime... This alone could speaks it all. You just need to go back and watch those seasons for your stats to be balanced
yoacdmns
4
Everyone is deluded. Torres at his Liverpool time was better than Drogba, or any other striker. The only player who was better than him was Cristiano Ronaldo. A player with two Euros and a world cup and being third on balon dr ranking and Drogba was better? Seriously y'all Chelsea fans judge him by Chelsea days but by then Torres had won a lot. I'm Afrin and Drogba is a legend but Torres? He's El Nidn
Slickykeyz
2
One question I always ask myself is: What happened to torres after he went to Chelsea?.. Upto now I still got no answer!
It's in their nature to ruin players by rushing to sign them and sell them off. Torres, Shevchenko, and Crespo were not able to break the curse so it went with them but the other players like Salah, Debruyne, Robben all broke the curse. Whenever you see them rush players leave them alone they'll return the player soon.
yungsmith87
1
One question I always ask myself is: What happened to torres after he went to Chelsea?.. Upto now I still got no answer!
champions league trophy happened to him
Lawbeorz
3
One question I always ask myself is: What happened to torres after he went to Chelsea?.. Upto now I still got no answer!
Nashchamp
2
Yes, no doubt that Torres was one of the best in the world. But he was the 2nd best striker at the time in the league. The best striker was Didier Drogba!
I will never forget the day drogba got red card after he attacked vidic after he was frustrated by vidic during the match [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Yorokiri
2
Vidic... I love watching him, a no-nonsense defender!!
Wookiex33
3
Still got more EPL titles than him lol
ArjunUtd
3
Yes, no doubt that Torres was one of the best in the world. But he was the 2nd best striker at the time in the league. The best striker was Didier Drogba!
Rooney surpasses both of em
haldersubhra
2
vidic was by far the best defender when he played for man utd.
Sahla_HDP
1
Yes, no doubt that Torres was one of the best in the world. But he was the 2nd best striker at the time in the league. The best striker was Didier Drogba!
Loobekory
5
legends say torres still torments Vidic in his dreams
hoeebisms009
2
El Nino is the best striker we ever had
salmanalfaris
2
you just can't stop El Nino
KINGAYANLE
106
Torres was one of the best strikers in his lifetime and he was flexible in front of the box and he was a good finisher in one on one chances Vidic said the true legend
MrTruth
4
That was best of f.torres