Vidic: Captain courageous

Nemanja Vidic has insisted he can lead Manchester United to the summit of European football and inspire continued dominance in the Premier League after claiming that the twin threat of Barcelona and Manchester City will not become a distraction.

United fine-tuned their preparations for the new season in America's Pacific north-west with a friendly against Seattle Sounders on July 20, but Sir Alex Ferguson's players are discovering that the same old shadows loom large, regardless of the distance from home.

Barcelona's unplayable brilliance in the Champions League final denied Vidic the opportunity of lifting the European Cup at Wembley two months ago. United also suffered disappointment when City's victory against their neighbours in April's FA Cup semi-final unlocked the door to their first trophy in 35 years and provided the platform for another summer of blue-chip recruitment at Eastlands.

The blaugrana and the blues are seemingly performing a pincer movement on United, aiming to cut off the route to success for Ferguson's team at home and on the continent.

Obstacles

Yet Vidic, the United captain, claims that neither Barcelona nor City are influencing minds at Old Trafford, with the Serbian defender insisting his resolve and that of his team-mates is being underestimated. "I don't know why people are always asking Manchester United players how we are going to bridge the gap [to Barcelona]," Vidic said.

"This team is a successful team and we are doing some good things. We don't have any problem with the Barcelona players. We respect them, but we are not scared to play against them and we will try and do our best to be better and win the Champions League again.

"I don't think so much about the gap between ourselves and Barcelona. I am thinking I have to win the league and the Champions League. Who knows whether Barcelona will go to the final next season? We speak like they are already in the final and they will win the Champions League, but it is a new season. We are looking to win the Premier League and we are looking to win the Champions League. We are thinking only about ourselves."

While Barcelona's pre-eminence offers a daunting obstacle in Europe, City's spending power and determination to lure the likes of Argentina forward Sergio Aguero and Arsenal's Samir Nasri — a confirmed United target — to the blue half of Manchester has intensified the heat being breathed down United's neck by their city rivals. Vidic insists that only outsiders are concerned with City's emergence, however, and claims that their spending is not an issue within the United camp.

Injection of desire

"It is clear City have the money and they will sign new players," Vidic said. "But we have to focus on ourselves. I do not really try to assess other teams. I see some headlines and that a player has signed, then a second, then a third.

"They [City] will definitely be in a position to fight for the league, but I think we have enough good players and a good team to challenge for the trophy. It seems like from the first season I arrived, the league is getting stronger, but that is good. Don't forget Tottenham. They are still a good team, so it will be really hard.

"From the first day I came to this club to the present day, the players and the coaches push you forward to improve. They always bring something new, whether that is in the facilities, in the training.

"That is the great thing about this club and, over the years, we have improved every year. This is why we are in this position to win the title four times and play in the [Champions League] final three times [since he arrived in 2006]. I agree Barcelona are playing great football and it is hard to take. They beat us in the final twice, but hopefully, we can make it to a third one and that will be lucky for us." Vidic's standing as United's on-field leader, confirmed by his elevation to the captaincy last summer, has left the 29 year-old as one of the pillars of Ferguson's team, particularly since the retirements of Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Edwin van der Sar last season. But with new blood replacing old in the shape of Phil Jones, 19, Ashley Young, 26, and goalkeeper David de Gea, 20, Vidic believes that United have already received an injection of desire this summer.

Vidic, speaking at the launch of United's new away kit in Seattle's Nike Town, said: "It is important when new players come, to adapt, to feel part of the team, not just on the pitch, but outside it. But we have some new players, new blood and that brings new energy, which is very important for the team."