Ex-Premier League star says Vidic was ‘nowhere near’ elite level after tearing Man Utd legend apart twice in a season

FORMER Blackpool striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher has taken aim at Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic.

Vidic, who won five league titles during his glittering eight-year spell at the Red Devils, is nowhere near “elite” according to the ex-Tangerine star.

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Gary Taylor-Fletcher says Nemanja Vidic was nowhere near the ‘elite’ level[/caption]

PA:Empics Sport

The ex-Blackpool striker claimed he ‘tore’ Vidic apart twice in the 2010/11 season[/caption]

Despite Blackpool being relegated in the 2010-11 season Taylor-Fletcher reckons he “tore” Vidic apart – despite the defender going on to win his fourth Premier League title that same season.

This followed a post that went viral on X comparing Vidic’s achievements to Virgil van Dijk’s achievements during his career as a centre-back.

Fans were reminded how great of a defender the Serbian was after winning five Premier League titles when strikers such as Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba, Robin van Persie, Sergio Aguero and Luis Suarez were playing.

While Van Dijk has only won one against strikers such as Harry Kane, Olivier Giroud, Aguero and even Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings.

But one person in particular did not seem to agree and that was Blackpool’s former No9 Taylor-Fletcher.

He replied to the tweet saying: “Yeah and I tore him apart twice for Blackpool in the 2010/11 season.

“He was nowhere near levels of Ferdinand, Terry & VVD [Virgil van Dyke].

“He was the same level as skrtel. Solid good player. Not elite.”

To remind fans, United beat Blackpool twice that season – first 3-2 at Bloomfield Road then 4-2 at Old Trafford.

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Taylor-Fletcher did manage to foul Vidic and break down his backline during the away clash when he scored the second goal for the Tangerines.

However, the current AFC Crewe boss headed straight to the Championship after that game while Manchester United lifted their 19th league title.

This game marked United’s coronation as English football’s most successful domestic club.

In contrast, this was Blackpool’s first season in the Premier League and were the first club to gain promotion from every division of the Football League via the play-off system.

Taylor-Fletcher ended up leaving the Tangerines in 2013 for Leicester then went on the play for Tranmere Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Welsh sides Bangor City and Llaundudno.