I played with one of Manchester United's greatest defenders - but it was horrible!

In January 2006 Manchester United completed the signing of a relatively unknown centre-back called Nemanja Vidic.

United swooped for the then-24-year-old, signing him in a deal worth around £7million from Russian club Spartak Moscow. Little did anyone know at the time he would prove to be one of the most successful signings of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Spending eight years at Old Trafford, the Serbian, who is now 42, made 300 appearances for the club, scored 21 goals and won 15 major trophies. He also donned the captain's armband between 2010 and 2014.

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"Good defenders win you things," Ferguson quipped after securing Vidic's signature almost two decades ago. "This lad is really natural and athletic. You need good defenders and that is exactly what this lad is."

Vidic, who is considered one of the Premier League's greatest-ever central defenders, was a bullish, old-school, no-nonsense centre-back who played with his heart on his sleeve. He gave everything to the cause and United have not been blessed with a defender of his ilk since his departure 10 years ago.

"I can't remember what we paid for him now but, whatever it was, it was cheap," said Ferguson, speaking in 2011. "£7million? Are you sure? I don't think so. Euros maybe. I think it was Euros actually."

Since Ferguson retired in 2013, the landscape of the transfer market has shifted beyond belief, so much so that it would be impossible to secure a defender of Vidic's quality for £7m. You would have to times it by 10 and then add on a little bit more.

Vidic