Nemanja Vidic accuses Wayne Rooney of relying on 'pure talent'

Nemanja Vidic appears to have criticised former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney, accusing the ex striker of relying on his 'pure talent.'

Rooney broke the record for both United and England's all time scoring record during his career, the latter having now been broken by Harry Kane.

Along with that, the striker won five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the Champions League and three League Cups, as well as a host of other trophies and individual awards.

Even with Kane breaking his record, some have claimed that the Toxteth man had a better career for the national team than the Tottenham Hotspur forward.

However, there has always been claims from some, that based on his talent at a young age, the Everton academy graduate didn't actually live up ability.

That idea now appears to have been backed up by Vidic, who has suggested that he relied too much on his god given talent, rather than working harder.

The former United centre back explained on Rio Ferdinand's FIVE YouTube channel that the DC United manager should have followed Cristiano Ronaldo's work ethic.

"You see Cristiano on Instagram, it's all flashy stuff but he deserves it," Vidic explained on his former defensive partner's show, "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.

"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 team-mate on the pitch, him and Carlos Tevez, as a defender you want them on the pitch, they worked hard for the team."

Rooney and Vidic embrace. Image: Alamy

On the 'pure talent,' the Serbian added, "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 also revealed that he actually nearly ended up at United's rivals, and might have signed for Liverpool, if Rafa Benitez had called him back.

Would be interesting to know if Jamie Carragher would still have rated Virgil van Dijk better than the former Inter Milan player, if they'd both played for the Anfield club.