Image:Rio Ferdinand: Looks to be back to his best in helping United to the top of the league
Nemanja Vidic has rubbished claims from earlier this season that central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand was finished as a top-flight force.
Ferdinand has hunger, says sidelined United skipper
Nemanja Vidic has rubbished claims from earlier this season that central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand was finished as a top-flight force.
The former England captain had suffered a series of niggling injuries and, when coupled with the emergence of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling at Manchester United, there were suggestions his time was up.
But the 33-year-old has answered his critics by making light of Vidic's own absence and forging a successful partnership with Jonny Evans to help guide United back to the top of the Premier League.
And his club captain is delighted by the response of his fellow centre-back in the face of criticism.
"At the beginning of the season there were a lot of people questioning Rio, asking whether he could do what he did in the past, can he play, is he finished?" Vidic said.
"This was nonsense. Rio has hunger and now he has proved people they are wrong.
"He is a very important player, not just this year but over the past years and he has done very well over the last few months."
