Vidic comfortable in role of captain

Nemanja Vidic feels like a proper captain now he was won a trophy with Manchester United.

Vidic leapt above Rio Ferdinand in the pecking order when Alex Ferguson decided to remove the armband from now-retired Gary Neville at the start of the season.

Already skipper of Serbia, the 29-year-old made a smooth transition into the role.

His leadership qualities have been in evidence throughout the season and in many people’s eyes should have scooped one of the major player of the year prizes ahead of Gareth Bale and Scott Parker.

Yet Vidic was not completely satisfied.

Now, looking ahead to tonight’s Champions League final confrontation with Barcelona at Wembley, he is.

“I am happy to be the captain of such a very big club, especially in big games like this one,” he said.

“But in the end, if you don’t win a trophy you are not satisfied. Luckily, we have managed to win the Premier League title. Now we can focus on this.”

Although Barcelona start as overwhelming favourites, Vidic retains plenty of faith in the men around him.

Providing they cope with the demons Barcelona’s majestic ball players are capable of scattering in the head, Vidic is confident United will come through.

“It is about being ready mentally,” he said. “We are preparing more because we have so much experience and so many matchwinners in our team.”