So Nemanja Vidic has become the latest high profile English Premier League player to have a go at his surroundings, in fact, anything English at all.
The Serbian international is unhappy with life in Manchester and apparently hates the weather. I didn't know they had it so good in Serbia!
Before I go any further, this story comes from a Russian football magazine called Football Weekly and I have experienced problems with quote's attributed to people in the Russian press before.
So give him the benefit of the doubt if you must.
I've never had Vidic down as a moaner and have respected his skills and never say die defending since he joined Manchester United from Spartak Moscow.
That's why this sudden attack on British life comes as quite a shock.
I thought he was a warrior who was proud and honoured to play for a club like Manchester United.
Vidic said, "In future, I would like to test myself in another top league. I'm thinking of Spain. At least there will be no reason to complain about the weather."
So another English Premier League star fancies Spain over England. Does he realize how good he has it or even that these comments will get back to his boss and team mates?
- B/R Ticket Guide
"In England, they say that Manchester is the city of rain. Its main attraction is considered to be the timetable at the railway station, where trains leave for other, less rainy cities." continued Vidic.
"It's not only the weather that I'm not happy about here."
"In Russia and Serbia the people's way of life is similar. In England it's totally different. Here they just don't have time to feel the joy of life."
"Throughout the week they all work so hard. They only talk to people at lunch break. Then in the evening they come home and watch the telly, so they can get up early for work the next day".
It must be hard not being a professional footballer Nemanja. Don't you think?
I'm sure many Mancunians will find that comment funny or even take it with a pinch of salt. Some though will be quite offended by comments made by a player earning more money in a week than most Manchester families in a year!
Where he came up with such gibberish I have no clue and I'd be really shocked if people in Britain live a worse life than those in Serbia or Russia.
He even said that it's hard for footballers to make friends as they are busy on weekends when Brits do their socializing!
Hard tackling centre back or just another pre-madonna letting things go to his head?
I'm sorry Nemanja but you have the life that every one of those hard working (weekend socializing) season ticket holders dream of.
How about a little respect for them.
Well rant over and maybe you will feel I'm being a little harsh on Vidic. But why shouldn't I be when he takes a dream of millions of kids around the world and soils it by forgetting just who he's playing for!
If the 26 year old isn't smart enough (or experienced enough) to keep his mouth shut during an interview in which he must know will be used to squeeze every angle for a story.
Then I wonder if he was smart enough to avoid Sir Alex Ferguson today!
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2 months ago
he's just released a statement saying these quotes were taken out of context - he's happy in manchester apparently he was only having probs when he first arrived... either way we cn't afford to lose him!! he's just immense!
from 2 months ago
I agree he's immense....I hope he has learnt his lesson.
2 months ago
he's too good to leave. besides, everyone talks like that once in their life.
from 2 months ago
It just gets on my nerves lol
2 months ago
I was intrigued when I read about this story - I always had Vidic as a "no nonsense" kind of guy, much like he is as a player.
Seems I was wrong though - apparently in Russia and Serbia he has a reputation as a bit of a joker! Some of his comments were pure gold: "Manchester's main attraction is considered to be the timetable at the railway station, where trains leave for other, less rainy cities" is pretty funny! Not going to please SAF though...
He will no doubt get a rollocking from the manager, and learn a hard lesson in how far the English press will go (to Russia, no less) for some controversy. But at least he has gone up (even further!) in my estimation.
from 2 months ago
Oh yes a rollocking I bet. Sir Alex is I bet still at the end of his teather since the Ronaldo saga and won't be taking any more shit haha
Won't have impressed a few fans either.
from 2 months ago
Cheers Alex...appreciate it.
2 months ago
Can someone edit this back to my original version? I'm not happy with the edit but my revert options aren't working properly.
Thanks.
from 2 months ago
All done. don't worry about this comment.
2 months ago
Nice to see Vidic has refuted the comments, sort of, but come on, of all the managers to risk pissing off, he chooses Fergie. That hairdryer must need a new fuse for the plug by now, jeez.
from 2 months ago
He's just lucky Fergie is past the age's of boots and tea cups :)
He may have refuted the claims but he still said something....if not what he was quoted as saying.
2 months ago
The thing is he is telling the truth… it does rain quite a lot in Manchester!!! And yes when you compare it with say Madrid, it might make you wish you played there.
Looks like his comments were taken out of context, but if you look at it from his point of view. We would all agree with him.
I bet he does not even live in the city (Iam sure someone will confirm this) and there will be places in Manchester that are bad and none of us would want to live there (same as Sunderland/Liverpool/Newcastle/London before anyone gets on their soap boxes).
Just take the article as a cobbled together set of quotes… something and a lot of nothing. (not your article Andrew, the newspaper one)
from 2 months ago
I know Kevin I just like a good rant:) Some of his points are true but what would he really know? I don't need a £80,000 pound a week Serbian to tell me my life is shit lol.
from 2 months ago
I hope you realise you just had everyone look round in our office as I chuckled at that last comment.
Only a Man Utd fan would say his life (footie life I hope) is shite…
from 2 months ago
He lives around Wilmslow or Alderley Edge in Cheshire its about 5-10 miles away from the edge of the city .There are more millionaires per square mile there than anywhere else in Britain and its beautiful. If he's criticising the fact that it rains who can blame him but I'm sure that european cup medal makes up for it.He wouldn't have one of those if he went he madrid!
2 months ago
Good article Andrew, I wrote an article very similar to yours, and I read another article on B/R about what Vida said. If I'd of known so many were going to write an article about it, I wouldn't of bothered myself!
from 2 months ago
haha Thanks Yoosof :) Got to get in there quick mate :P
2 months ago
To be honest as long as he keeps playing the way he does week in week out, I don't care what he thinks about British weather! :O)
2 months ago
Apparently, He said and I quote "I was misquoted, I enjoy football here (in Manchester)" Either way...say what you want Vidic..as long as you stay a rock in defense..if this is true then do what AM says "Get a life"
from 2 months ago
A penny for the misquoted :P journalists are scum :P
2 months ago
I just made a call to FC United of Manchester and we have agreed to a 3 week deal worth $5. I will be sure to disclaim Vidic's statements and do Manchester proud!
from 2 months ago
does that include the signing on fee, appearance fee and the salary? :P
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