• 'I never speak with an opponent before a game,' Vidic says
Nemanja Vidic will sever all lines of communication to his fellow Serbs Aleksandar Kolarov and Matija Nastasic ahead of Monday's Manchester derby.
The Manchester United captain is close friends with the duo but their commitment to the City cause makes it impossible for idle chit-chat, no matter how well the compatriots get on. For Vidic, the only way to deal with the situation is not to communicate at all.
"I never speak with an opponent before a game," he said. "I am good friends with Kolarov and Nastasic. But I don't like to talk. I like to go there and do it. On game day I think about the game, I don't waste energy before the game starts, otherwise you end up tired."
United, 15 points clear with seven games left, are in the happy position of knowing even a draw would effectively clinch a record 20th championship. Yet, after Monday's FA Cup defeat at Chelsea, a stalemate would represent a hollow victory given that the championship is the only trophy available after growing hopes of a treble were ended by Real Madrid's victory at Old Trafford in the Champions League before Demba Ba's stunning winner killed off the dream of an alternative Wembley visit.
Sir Alex Ferguson will want to get his team selection right, with many United fans believing the decision to include Park Ji-sung at the Etihad Stadium last season handed the initiative to Manchester City.
It leaves United's manager facing a big call at the back given that Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans have claims on a starting berth. Vidic is in a pretty strong position given that recent statistics showed he has the highest win percentage of any United player who has made more than 60 appearances for the club. That figure is creeping towards 72% after Saturday's victory at Sunderland. Vidic soaks up such facts with relish.
"Now we have the opportunity to see statistics with the analyst after every game," he said. "You can see how many tackles or headers you have won. You can look at certain things and see where you can improve. Even the passing rate, you can see the percentage you have got right. But it is not just the stats, it is the clips as well. I love to watch them. Not every player looks but you have the chance to – and I do."
Wayne Rooney will continue to have treatment on the groin injury that ruled him out of the past two games. Although there continues to be talk of Rooney leaving Old Trafford in the summer despite Ferguson's assurance that it will not happen, the 27-year-old has scored three goals in seven appearances since Robin van Persie got his last one.
Rooney also found the net in both England World Cup qualifiers, so it would be a major surprise if he wins his fitness fight and is then overlooked by Ferguson.
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