Nemanja Vidic has praised the mentality of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
Saliba and Gabriel have been pivotal to Arsenal’s impressive season under Mikel Arteta, helping the club keep 17 Premier League clean sheets so far this term.
Arsenal will be hoping for another solid defensive display at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as Arteta’s side can retake top spot in the Premier League if they beat United.
And Vidic, who won five Premier League titles during his career with United, has been impressed with Arsenal’s defensive duo.
When asked to give his verdict on the Premier League’s best defenders, Vidic told The Sunday Times: ‘I like talking about the young ones. Micky van de Ven, he’s fast, strong and good in the air, and has capabilities to really improve.
‘The two from Arsenal [William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes] are doing well. Watching them, I feel they like defending and want the clean sheet. I like the mentality they show.
‘And they are a partnership. That is important. Arsenal, this season, have not been conceding many goals and the situation when they went to City and didn’t concede – that was a statement of Arsenal as a team. That they want to win the trophy. Not just play nice. I think that’s good. Finally!’
Meanwhile, Vidic believes United’s current poor run of form under Erik ten Hag will help give an accurate assessment of the squad for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ahead of the summer transfer window.
‘Everything comes from the top down. Especially values,’ Vidic said.
‘For the new management it’s not great that United is in this situation it is – but it’s good for them to see the capability of the players. Almost to see the worst of Man United.
‘I look at Sir Jim Ratcliffe, he is a very successful person in his businesses and not by accident. He has so many people under his management and understands the importance of structure and mentality and culture.
‘Looking from the outside, I think what he’s trying to do is to put the right leadership in the right areas and create a winning culture. I think everyone is waiting for Manchester United to win. Not just United fans.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE : Liverpool can put Aston Villa’s Champions League qualification party on hold
MORE : Owen Hargreaves issues warning to Chelsea if they miss out on two transfers
MORE : Chelsea must sign ‘big name’ up front to support Nicolas Jackson, says Alan Shearer
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
