Nemanja Vidic 'names the hardest player' he trained against at Man United

Rio Ferdinand has hailed one of his former Manchester United teammates and even claimed Nemanja Vidic said he's the 'hardest player he's ever played against' in training.

Ferdinand and Vidic enjoyed a legendary defensive partnership at Man United, notably winning several Premier League titles and the prestigious Champions League.

They also played with superstar forwards like Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez during their time at the club.

But the former England international has singled out Louis Saha and claims Vidic said he's the 'hardest player he's ever played against' in training.

He also highlighed his speed, strength and compared his movement to Arsenal legend Ian Wright while bemoaning his inability to stay fit.

"He was so quick, so strong. His movement was like Ian Wright's. He just couldn't stay fit in the end - Nemanja Vidic says he's the hardest player he's ever played against in training," said Ferdinand via @utdreport.

Ferdinand himself also said Saha is the hardest player he's played against, claiming injuries stopped him from becoming an 'absolutely crazy player' for Man United.

"Shout out to Louis I love him. What a player," he added. "He actually in training he was levels. I remember Nemanja Vidic saying: 'Louis Saha WOAH, does it get harder than this?'

"He is the hardest player I have played against. He used to be a madness. He was a joke. Only injuries stopped him exploding and being an absolutely crazy player for Man United.

"This guy cared, he is one of them guys when I look back now can see there was pain in his eyes because of the injuries. He knew what he was capable of and he wasn't able to go out and do it because he was held back by injuries."

Louis Saha celebrates scoring a goal for Manchester United. Image: Getty

Ferdinand continued: "This guy was as quick as anything out there, off both feet, stronger than anybody, knew where to run and his timing was mad. Mad player. He could have been an absolute madness. He came on and changed games.

"I remember in training he was the hardest. Out of all the strikers I trained against at Man United he was probably the hardest one to play against.

"[Wayne] Rooney took the ball when the ball came in and would take it that way so the defender would come with you and then take it on the outside. Saha was the man at that."

Saha spent five seasons at Old Trafford, scoring 42 goals in 124 matches in all competitions.

Though, like Ferdinand alluded to above, the Frenchman couldn't stay fit which prevented him from becoming a superstar at the club.

But he clearly left an impression on his teammates, with Ferdinand and Vidic showering him with high praise.

Topics: Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Louis Saha, Football, Manchester United

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

@NasJabbar