Former Manchester United defender David May believes that
Nemanja Vidic
and Rio Ferdinand's
defensive partnership is as good as that of legendary Old Trafford
centre-backs Steve Bruce and
Gary Pallister.
Bruce and Pallister marshalled United's backline together for
seven years and played an integral role in United's Premier League
title triumph in 1992-93, the first time the club had won the
league championship in 26 years.
The English pair went on to win a league and cup double in
1993-94 and 1995-96, though Bruce was plagued by injuries in the
latter season, with May stepping in on a number of occasions to
partner Pallister.
Ferdinand and Vidic have been United's first-choice defensive
partnership since the start of the 2006-07 season, after the
Serbian initally endured a difficult start to his Old Trafford
career following a move from Spartak Moscow in January 2006.
Since then, United have won three league titles, two Carling
Cups and the Champions League in 2008, with the duo forming the
backbone of United's defence.
And May believes that United's current centre-back pairing are
just as important to United's hopes of continued success as his
former team-mates.
"They are massive for United," May told ESPNsoccernet.
"You only have to go back to last season when we had all our
injuries - if those two had been fit for longer, United's chances
of winning the title would certainly have improved. When they were
missing United never looked as strong, but now that they are back
they are a pivotal part of United's trophy challenges.
"It's just like watching Pally and Brucey again with them.
You've got Rio in the Pally mode - a tall centre-back who loves to
bring the ball out of defence at his feet, while Brucey and Vidic
are both those sort of players who would run through brick walls
for you. You only have to look at Brucey's face to see his
commitment as a player - he's broken his nose and taken a battering
- and Vidic is in the same mould."
• David May was talking ahead of the West Ham vs. Man
Utd Carling Cup tie, when he and Clayton Blackmore will be watching
the game in one lucky supporters' front room, as part of Carling's
drive to improve fans' home viewing experience. For more
information log onto www.carling.com