Nemanja Vidic’s name will forever be associated with the meeting of Manchester United and Liverpool.
Vidic was sent off on four occasions in previous clashes between two of England’s most decorated clubs and his struggles with Fernando Torres are well-documented.
But it could have all been so different as there was once a very realistic possibility that the Serbian defender would represent Liverpool, rather than the Red Devils.
Vidic joined United in 2006 from Spartak Moscow and quickly endeared himself to supporters with his willingness to put his head where most other players wouldn’t put someone else’s boot.
He went on to become club captain and, alongside Rio Ferdinand in the heart of Sir Alex Ferguson’s defence, Vidic roared United to Champions League glory and five Premier League titles.
But he was almost a Liverpool player.
Vidic has spoken briefly before about how the Merseyside club declared an interest in him in late 2005 but, in an in-depth Q & A with ESPN this weekend, the 36-year-old has divulged how Liverpool’s indecision allowed United to swoop for him.
“Yes, in Rafa Benitez’s time. I spoke to him about a few things, but my wife was the main one who spoke to him,” Vidic explained. “He was interested in signing me, but I don’t know what was the problem at the time.
“I spoke to him before I signed for Manchester United, though. I didn’t meet, but we spoke over the phone, in my car in Moscow, with my wife translating.
“I didn’t say no. They said just that they were interested, they want me. It was going to happen, going to happen. Then someone came and said: “Do you want to play for United?” and I said yes.
“After two days, everything was done. Then Liverpool said they wanted to do the deal but everything was done.”
What might have been.
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