Vidic: We Must Stick Together

Club captain Nemanja Vidic says Manchester United must remain united if the team is to turn things around on the pitch and mount a title challenge. A bit of luck wouldn’t go astray either, the Serbian says.

Vidic, who was sent off for an injury-time tackle on Eden Hazard in United’s 3-1 defeat against Chelsea on Sunday and will miss the next three domestic fixtures, spoke exclusively to ManUtd.com after the match.

“It’s important we stick together and work hard for each other,” he said. “If we do that then I think we can turn things around.

“If you look at the whole game [at Stamford Bridge] I don’t think we played too badly. I don’t think losing three goals really tells the story.”

Indeed, David Moyes’ men dominated early proceedings, completing almost twice as many passes as Chelsea in the first 15 minutes and forcing Petr Cech into a smart save from Ashley Young.

The Reds were made to pay for failing to convert possession and territory into goals, however, and were 2-0 down at half-time. A third Chelsea goal – and a third for striker Samuel Eto’o – followed just four minutes after the restart.

“We lost two goals from set-pieces and one deflection,” Vidic said. “Apart from that, they didn't create too many chances. They didn't have many shots on target but scored three times.

“It’s disappointing. I don't think we were clinical enough in their box and we didn’t defend well enough in ours. We didn't give them many chances but everything they had they took. They punished us.”

Following United’s bright start, the game changed on 17 minutes when Michael Carrick charged out to block an effort from Eto’o and the ball looped up off the midfielder’s boot and over David De Gea in the Reds goal. On another day it would have cannoned back towards the halfway line or dribbled harmlessly wide for a corner.

“I feel like it’s the story of our season,” Vidic shrugged. “It’s just small things. Small details this season are making big differences and changing games.

“We just have to stay positive and keep fighting to be in amongst the top teams at the end of the season. Hopefully, with a bit of luck, we’ll have better days. [On Sunday] we were good for long periods, but it was one of those days that turned out badly for us.”