Vidic: Focused As Ever

Nemanja Vidic sat down exclusively with ManUtd.com to look ahead to the new campaign...

How was your summer? We're guessing it was an enjoyable one on the back of winning the league…
I had a great summer. I had a six-week break which is the longest I’ve had in the last six or seven years and it was nice to spend time with the family and get a bit of sun.

Did you take any time to reflect on last season and the team’s title triumph or were you already thinking about getting going again this term?
I was already thinking about this season! Of course, we celebrated the title and it was great to go on the bus through Manchester and see so many fans; I'd really like to thank the fans again for coming that day and supporting us. Not just that day, but throughout the season. But now I am not thinking about last season – now it’s all about this season and the challenges we have. We have a new manager as do some other teams and we know we have to improve our game and continue to work harder. The most important thing for me is to stay fit and be ready to help the team.

How were the first few days back in training at the start of the month?
They were good and everyone has been working hard since then. It was nice to talk to the lads and hear about where everyone has been on holiday. We chatted about general football things as well which is something I really missed over the summer. Everyone is excited about the new season.

It’s always a new challenge at the start of every season but this is different with a new manager in charge – how excited are the players for the new campaign?
I was very impressed with the work we did in the first few days when we came back before the tour. The players are all very focused, ready to work and they want to show what they can do and prove that they are good enough to play for Manchester United and be in the first XI as well. There have been some very good signs which is exciting to see.

What were your early impressions of David Moyes?
The way he’s working with us in training and talking to us and the energy he has brought to the club makes me believe he is going to be really good for United. I can already see he has a great work ethic, he showed that at Everton, and that’s going to be important for this club; United is built on a great work ethic. I think he is a great manager to replace Sir Alex.

You're travelling to Stockholm to play AIK on 6 August – how important will that game be given the first league match of the season will be less than two weeks away?
It’ll be an important match for us and it’s another chance for us to build on our fitness and our form. It’ll be nice to meet the fans over there, too. It’s a nice place to visit. We were there last year and we know we have a great base of fans over there. We’re all looking forward to it.

Is that exactly the kind of test the players will need at that stage of pre-season given the fact AIK are in the middle of their campaign and will be in top form from a fitness perspective?
Yes, it will be good timing. It will be important for us to play a team that is at full fitness and in good shape and who can really test you. They will be a good team to play before the Community Shield. We always use that game [at Wembley] as a real test before the season starts. Of course, we want to win the trophy but when you look at the fixtures we’ve been given [at the start of the season] I think it’s the toughest games we’ve been given for the last seven or eight years. We know we need to be ready and prepared and that’s why it’s been really good to see how focused the players are since we got back.