Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney didn't think much of Nemanja Vidic during his first Manchester United training session to say the very least.
The future defensive icon at Old Trafford didn't quite hit the ground running after joining from Spartak Moscow, with Ferdinand and Rooney secretly discussing his poor performance with each other – and even questioning the judgment of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ferdinand has now opened up on their initial opinion of the former Serbia international who went on to win five Premier League tiles, three League Cups and the Champions League in 2008 before leaving in 2014 for Inter Milan.
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Speaking on the FIVE podcast, Ferdinand revealed of the 2006 signing: "I remember after one session, me and Wazza were walking around. He said: 'Who the f*** is this guy?'."
He continued: "He was terrible. Vidic and (Patrice) Evra signed in the same window and he (Rooney) was going: 'The manager has f***** it, he's messed up, I don't know what's going on with the recruitment'."
The duo, who also had doubts about Evra, would have to eat their words as Vidic and Evra made a combined 679 appearances. History could've been very different had Vidic linked up with United's rivals before his £7million move to Manchester.
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Speaking to FourFourTwo in 2016, the Serbian said: “Yes. Rafa Benitez [then-Liverpool boss] called me and I nearly went there. I was interested in going. My English wasn't good and I was struggling to communicate.
"Then Manchester United came. Fergie called me at my apartment and said: 'I watched you play for Serbia against France – I want you here'.
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"United were decisive. Everything was done very quickly, within two days." Vidic went on to join Inter Milan in 2014, calling time on his career two years later after 28 appearances in Italy.
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