Vidic eyes first FA Cup triumph

Nemanja Vidic is determined to ensure the FA Cup is part of this season's trophy haul when he heads off on his summer break. The Manchester United skipper has yet to win the world's oldest cup competition.

In his first full season at Old Trafford, the Red Devils were beaten in the final by Chelsea. There have also been semi-final losses to Everton and Manchester City as United have endured a succession of frustrations at the reopened Wembley Stadium.

But with the Premier League title secure barring some unthinkable catastrophe, Vidic is now training his sights on the only piece of silverware to elude him since his £7m arrival from Spartak Moscow.

"My aim before every season is to win a trophy," said Vidic. "You want to be there for the big games and once the season is finished, and you are going home or on holiday, you want to see what you have won. That is the thing that has always pushed me."

And Vidic accepts cup competitions in England are something slightly different, even if the big clubs usually end up contesting the latter stages.

"The cup in Serbia is obviously a trophy but the league has always been seen as the main thing," said Vidic. Over the last few years in England the semi-finals and finals have always interesting because Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal have always been there and they are the teams who are always watched.

"People always want to see them, especially when they are fighting for a trophy. It makes them important games."

I want to win the trophy. That is more important than who we play against.

Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United defender on potential FA Cup semi-final opponents 

 

Manchester City await the victors in the stand-out semi-final, given Premier League strugglers Wigan and Championship outfit Millwall contest the other. Not that Vidic is particularly enthused by that prospect, which would mean successive encounters with their Manchester rivals, who head to Old Trafford in league combat on April 8.

"I would prefer to have a semi-final against Blackpool," said Vidic. "I want to win the trophy. That is more important than who we play against. Obviously City are in the semi-final. That would mean one more step towards a trophy. But first it is Chelsea."

With a record fourth domestic double at stake, nothing is being left to chance. And for Vidic, such an achievement could be viewed as confirmation of his recovery from the knee operations that were part of an injury-ravaged 16 months.

The 31-year-old does not see it that way, though.

"A trophy doesn't show I have recovered and I am back," he said. "It is more important for me to be part of the team and to feel I am helping it. I am working hard. I am trying to be in the same form as I was before my injury. The fans can say whether I am or not. That is the challenge for me. Winning trophies is about the team, not the individual."