Ex-Premier League star says Vidic was ‘nowhere near’ elite level after tearing Man Utd legend apart twice in a season
FORMER Blackpool striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher has fired aim at Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic.
Vidic who won five league titles during his glittering eight-year spell at the Red Devils is nowhere near “elite” according to the ex-Tangerine star.
Despite Blackpool being relegated in the 2010-11 season Taylor-Fletcher reckons he “tore” Vidic apart who ended up winning his fourth Premier League title with United.
This followed as a post went viral on X comparing Vidic’s achievements alongside Virgil van Dijk’s achievements during his career as a centre-back.
Fans were reminded how great of a defender the Serbian was after winning five Premier League titles when strikers such as Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba, Robin van Persie, Sergio Aguero and Luis Suarez were playing.
While Van Dijk has only won one against strikers such as Harry Kane, Olivier Giroud, Aguero and even Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings.
But one person in particular did not seem to agree and that was Blackpool’s former No9 Taylor-Fletcher.
He replied to the tweet saying: “Yeah and I tore him apart twice for Blackpool in the 2010/11 season.
“He was nowhere near levels of Ferdinand, Terry & VVD [Virgil van Dyck].
“He was the same level as skrtel. Solid good player. Not elite.”
To remind fans United beat Blackpool twice that season first 3-2 at Bloomfield Road then 4-2 at Old Trafford.
CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL
Taylor-Fletcher did manage to foul Vidic and break down his backline during the away clash when he scored the second goal for the Tangerines.
However, the AFC Crewe boss headed straight to the Championship after that game while Manchester United lifted their 19th league title.
This game marked United’s coronation as English football’s most successful domestic club.
But to remind fans this was Blackpool’s first season in the Premier League and were the first club to gain promotion from every division of the Football League via the play-off system.
Taylor-Fletcher ended up leaving the Tangerines in 2013 for Leicester then went on the play for Tranmere Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Welsh sides Bangor City and Llaundudno.