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Man United legend Vidic reveals to Ferdinand what Rooney should have done like Ronaldo

talksport.com, 25 April 2023, 17:17
Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has told Rio Ferdinand that Wayne Rooney should have looked after himself like Cristiano Ronaldo.

Vidic was speaking to Ferdinand on his YouTube channel and had plenty to say about his old teammates Rooney and Ronaldo.

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The quartet played together at Old Trafford for three years under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning the Premier League and Champions League, and has been looked at as one of Fergie's best-ever squads.

Rooney went on to become United's all-time highest goalscorer while Ronaldo would leave for Real Madrid, winning a further four Ballons d'Or and four Champions League titles.

But there has been a tinge of regret that Rooney could not replicate Ronaldo's career, especially on an individual basis.

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And Vidic has told Ferdinand that he believed the England legend could have - had he looked after himself more.

He said on Ferdinand's Vibe with Five YouTube channel: "The whole package for me was Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I remember when he came to the club, he was a boy, he was skinny. Always trying to do tricks.

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"He developed over the years, trained, was willing to sacrifice everything to achieve his dreams.

"You see Cristiano on Instagram, it's all flashy stuff but he deservers it.

"At his age, 18, 19, to 21 to have that mentality to work hard, not go out, fight for your dream, the way he did it he deserves everything he got. For me, Wayne Rooney, he failed in terms of that.

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"He is the one I think, if he was closer in mentality as Cristiano Ronaldo he can achieve much more.

"Definitely, that is my feeling. Physically he was amazing, technically as well.

"He is a great teammate on the pitch, him and Carlos Tevez, as a defender you want them on the pitch, they worked hard for the team.

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"In one moment they are similar, the same. What brought Cristiano Ronaldo much higher was his mentality to change, to work hard, to improve, to have goals.

"I'm not saying Wayne didn't have a mentality, but he played pure on his talent. He didn't invest in his body, invest in extra trainings, the physical side."

Vidic and Ferdinand formed an indestructible pairing at the back for the Red Devils, denoted as one of the best defensive partnerships ever in the Premier League.

They remained a demonic duo up until they both left Old Trafford at 2014 while Ferdinand had his reasons why Rooney and Ronaldo developed so differently.

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"Wayne was naturally a man at 14, 15 years old - hairy chest and strong," Ferdinand said. "He didn't have to work on it.

Cristiano walked in the door a skinny guy, left with an eight-pack. Calvin Klein model."

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