Nemanja Vidic is thriving on the added responsibility which comes with skippering Manchester United.
United defender trying to lead by example
Nemanja Vidic is thriving on the added responsibility which comes with skippering Manchester United.
With Rio Ferdinand having struggled with injury this season, Vidic has often been handed the armband by Sir Alex Ferguson.
He is only too happy to hold that honour, with the pressure of being an on-field leader helping to bring the best out of the 29-year-old centre-half.
"Obviously there's a bit more responsibility and I'm coming to the age when I have more responsibility, me and a few others in the team," said Vidic.
"I am quite happy with that and I'm enjoying it.
"It's not a question you should ask me, about my performances and how I play this season. I'm at an age now where I have to take more responsibility as a player.
"When I came here I was 24 and I was still young and a lot of older players took responsibility on the pitch.
Pressure
"But now I have to do that, be supportive to the younger players and be an example. It's something that comes naturally as you get older.
"The more responsibility you have and the more pressure you have, I think the better your focus and concentration are. So it helps."
United's collective focus this season has seen them make an unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign and secure safe progression into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Worryingly for their rivals, they have yet to hit top gear and Vidic admits there is still plenty of room for improvement.
"At the moment, it is not going that bad for us," he added.
"We are in the second stage of the Champions League, which was our target, and we are in a good position in the Premier League table.
"We just have to improve on a few details, keep going and keep playing well."
