Vidic: Bring On The Rain

Say what you like about Manchester’s rainy reputation, Reds skipper Nemanja Vidic thinks the inclement conditions will actually help United’s performances.

Wet pitches enhance the speed of passes and naturally suit more technically gifted footballers, and as United’s counterattacks are so swift, the Serbian believes the Autumnal conditions are tailor-made for the Reds’ style of play.

“It is important that we get to that routine where we’re winning three, four, five games,” Nemanja told ManUtd.com. “You get more confidence, more belief, and that’s what it’s all about. It will come. But this is also the time of year when the rain comes and the pitches are quicker. So our passing becomes quicker. It helps to increase the pace of games. And that will be good for us.”

It’s not all about the condition of the pitches, of course. United are notoriously slow starters in the league; and solid home at form has been contrasted with patchy performances on the road. But the Reds remain unbeaten and Vidic is confident United will now click into gear.

“It is the beginning of the season and we’ve lost a few points, but it’s still the beginning of the season,” he added. “Last year a lot of points were lost and Chelsea won the title. The competition in this league is even better than last year, so it’s not easy. But this is a time of the season traditionally where we start to play better.”

With five home games in the next 22 days, there is even greater importance placed on United’s form at Old Trafford. But Vidic says that’s nothing new.

“We have pressure in every game, it doesn’t matter if we are home or away,” he says. “This is the mentality we have. This club has great ambitions and you have to reach that. You have to remain consistent and your performance needs to help the team to win, it doesn’t matter if you’re at home or away.

“If you look at the results and the goals we’ve conceded away from home in the last few minutes then, definitely, we’ve lost concentration at vital moments. But overall I don’t think the performances are that bad. In the games against Everton, Fulham, and Bolton, we’ve scored goals. They weren’t bad games in that sense, but we have to find the balance between offence and defence. Hopefully that comes.”

And just because United’s home form has been strong so far, that doesn’t mean the Reds will take Saturday’s visitors, West Bromwich Albion, lightly. Vidic adds: “They’ve played good football, especially against Arsenal. They had a good game and scored three goals. They like to play football, they play on the floor. I’ve watched a few games and they have some pace up front. They have some quality players and they deserve to be where they are.

“They’re coming to Old Trafford and have nothing to lose. But we’re at home and we’ve had some good games at Old Trafford this season. We’ve played well. I believe it will be a good game. We will be ready for them.”

Nemanja was speaking to ManUtd.com, PA, BBC Radio Manchester and Key 103.