“We expect more” – Vidic questions Manchester United player mentality

Former Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has questioned the mentality of the club’s current crop of players and said fans expect more from them.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Vidic, who made more than 200 appearances for the Red Devils during an eight-year spell at Old Trafford, suggested that the problem has less to do with the players’ ability than it does their character.

The Serbian defender, who formed a formidable centre-back pairing with Rio Ferdinand during the later years of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, also expressed his excitement about the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim but said he wants to see the team improve.

About the new United boss, Vidic said: “Time will show. I don’t know much about him [Amorim]. Obviously, I know he was very successful at Sporting Lisbon. He seems like a very positive guy and I think he has a winning mentality.

“He played at a top level. He was a decent player. He has a good background. But for me what managers and coaches need in the modern game is, first of all, good recruitment, and an ability to deal with the players, media, and even with the people in the club.

“I hope that he is the right fit for the club.”

“You need to be more than just the coach” 🧠

Former Man United defender Nemanja Vidic believes Ruben Amorim’s success at Old Trafford won’t be defined simply by his coaching ability 🗣 pic.twitter.com/vfgvZaTgUs

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 13, 2024

When asked about the decision to remove the previous manager, Erik ten Hag, Vidic added: “It’s difficult to say whether it was right or not. But definitely we have to say that Erik ten Hag got support from the club over the years.

“The club invested a lot of money in the philosophy of Ten Hag, but if you look at the results, my expectation and the expectation of the fans was much higher.

“But I’m not sure it was just a problem with the coach. I think we have to look at the bigger picture. Other things need to be right to help the coach perform and give the best of his ability.

“Sometimes you don’t need the best player in the world to play for your club, but you need the right character.

“If you want to play for the big clubs, competing for the trophies, you have to be consistent. And that’s not just down to quality, it’s down to mentality. That’s the key for me.”

“You need to be more than just the coach” 🧠

Former Man United defender Nemanja Vidic believes Ruben Amorim’s success at Old Trafford won’t be defined simply by his coaching ability 🗣 pic.twitter.com/vfgvZaTgUs

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 13, 2024

Despite highlighting the need for a strong mentality, the 43-year-old stated he does not think there is pressure to play for United, citing the continued fan support.

Vidic did, however, admit that healthy competition in a squad is vital for success and that movement both in and out of the club during the transfer window will be key.

“We are all expecting more from them [the players],” said Vidic.

“When I was a player, I expected to do well in every game. And if I didn’t do well I was angry with myself and saying to myself that I need to do more, I have to do extra because I was not good enough in the game before.

“Even now we have some fantastic players. I think my question is more about the characters, the resilience, being ready to compete, to give extra and compete week in week out.

“I remember when I was playing for Man United. Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans – I was thinking they were all coming to take my place.

“I was scared I was going to lose my place. And that’s normal. If I’m not performing well, they will bring in a new guy. No-one had to tell me that.

“So a job needs to be done in the next few transfer windows. Not just players they are going to bring in, I think some players definitely have to try and find new teams.”

Amorim’s first game in charge of United is on 24 November, when they travel to an Ipswich Town side managed by former Red Devils coach, Kieran McKenna.