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Nemanja Vidic has become a better defender than England and Chelsea captain John Terry, according to former United centre back David May.
The Serbian has been a revelation this season with his no-nonsense tackling and knack for powering home headers from set-pieces, and May is among his biggest fans.
"As an all-round player I think Vidic is better than Terry," May told MUTV. "Nemanja is faster and I think now if he was out of United's side than he'd leave a similar hole, if not bigger.
"If it were not for the fabulous form of Ronaldo and Paul Scholes this season then I think Nemanja Vidic would be United's player of the year."
Vida powered home his fourth goal of the season in last Sunday's thumping win at Tottenham, and May expects plenty more goals from the towering Serbian.
"Nemanja has had some bad luck in front of goal with efforts hitting the post, bar, being hacked off the line," said May. "He could be in double figures by now, he has been knocking on the door so many times.
"He is certainly capable of getting double figures regularly for United in seasons to come."
May, like many others, sees stylistic similarities between Vidic and former United captain Steve Bruce, himself famed for being a fearless header of the ball in either penalty area.
"Like Brucey he is not afraid to put his head in where it hurts," he said. "He's very aggressive attacking balls in the air, as well as on the ground.
"He's got a fantastic leap on him and a determination to get his head on to something no matter what's happening around him. He is focused solely on going for that ball.
"In terms of bravery he is top of the list for me. As a defender it is great for United because that kind of player is a bit of a throwback and strikers don't fancy going up against such courage.
"In attacking terms defenders aren't that used to his kind in the box these days. Even they might have a few second thoughts when Vidic is around and a ball is coming into the box. I think some are scared of him possibly.
"United haven't had that kind of threat for years since Brucey left. There have been some good defenders like Jaap Stam and Rio Ferdinand but they didn't provide that danger at set-pieces in the opposition penalty area."
The Serbian has been a revelation this season with his no-nonsense tackling and knack for powering home headers from set-pieces, and May is among his biggest fans.
"As an all-round player I think Vidic is better than Terry," May told MUTV. "Nemanja is faster and I think now if he was out of United's side than he'd leave a similar hole, if not bigger.
"If it were not for the fabulous form of Ronaldo and Paul Scholes this season then I think Nemanja Vidic would be United's player of the year."
Vida powered home his fourth goal of the season in last Sunday's thumping win at Tottenham, and May expects plenty more goals from the towering Serbian.
"Nemanja has had some bad luck in front of goal with efforts hitting the post, bar, being hacked off the line," said May. "He could be in double figures by now, he has been knocking on the door so many times.
"He is certainly capable of getting double figures regularly for United in seasons to come."
May, like many others, sees stylistic similarities between Vidic and former United captain Steve Bruce, himself famed for being a fearless header of the ball in either penalty area.
"Like Brucey he is not afraid to put his head in where it hurts," he said. "He's very aggressive attacking balls in the air, as well as on the ground.
"He's got a fantastic leap on him and a determination to get his head on to something no matter what's happening around him. He is focused solely on going for that ball.
"In terms of bravery he is top of the list for me. As a defender it is great for United because that kind of player is a bit of a throwback and strikers don't fancy going up against such courage.
"In attacking terms defenders aren't that used to his kind in the box these days. Even they might have a few second thoughts when Vidic is around and a ball is coming into the box. I think some are scared of him possibly.
"United haven't had that kind of threat for years since Brucey left. There have been some good defenders like Jaap Stam and Rio Ferdinand but they didn't provide that danger at set-pieces in the opposition penalty area."
