Manchester United - Nemanja Vidic

Nemanja Vidic enjoyed his best season yet in a United shirt during 2008/09, a fact not lost on his team-mates, who voted the towering Serbian defender the players' player of the year at the Reds' end-of-season awards.

He was also the fans' choice, picking up the coveted Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award. The achievements were richly deserved and came at the end of a campaign in which Vidic helped the Reds to an 18th league title, the FIFA Club World Cup and the Carling Cup.

Tall, athletic and solid as a rock, Vida is uncompromising in the tackle and formidable in the air. He began his career with boyhood club Red Star Belgrade, joining their youth programme at 14. His first-team debut didn't arrive until 2001 but he went on to make 22 appearances in his first season.

He eventually ended his stay with Red Star by leading them to Serbia's domestic league and cup double before switching to Russian outfit Spartak Moscow in August 2004. Just 39 games and four goals later, United came calling.

The Reds announced his signing on Christmas Day, 2005. He hadn’t played for two months as the Russian season had recently ended, so it took time for his true ability to shine. But after completing an intensive training programme, Vida began to show his class.

A collar-bone injury sustained at the end of March 2007 kept Vidic out of the bulk of United's title run-in that season, but his performances until that point had been strong enough to help the Reds to the top of the league. His play also inspired a rousing song among the matchgoing faithful.

The Serbian’s impressive performances continued and earned him a contract extension in 2007 to keep him at the club until 2012.

He said of the improved deal: “Playing in this team is a great privilege. This is such a great club, I am delighted to be able to extend my stay here. The fans and everyone at the club have been very special to me. I hope I can do my bit to bring the club even more trophies in the years ahead.”

True to his word, he's done just that. And while Vida's game has always been built on solid defending, the 2008/09 campaign was also highly profitable at the other end of the pitch. The Serbian chipped in with regular goals, including an injury-time winner against Sunderland and precious openers against Chelsea and Internazionale.

"I love the feeling when you score," Nemanja says, "especially because it's not one of my main jobs. But I try and take up good positions and go up for corners. If you get lucky it's a great feeling."

PROFILE:Birthdate: 21 Oct 1981
Birthplace: Uzice, Serbia
Position: Defender
Appearances: 169
Goals: 3
Joined United: 05 Jan 2006
United Debut: 25 Jan 2006 v Blackburn (H)
International Serbia