But the injuries did exist as did his other problems. Which is why he isn't in the league of Ferdinand, Vidic and Stam.
Rio - SAF's greatest defender?
- Thread starter Massive Spanner
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But the injuries did exist as did his other problems. Which is why he isn't in the league of Ferdinand, Vidic and Stam.
I think Vidic has been more superior to other CB's who play his role(destroyer or whatever you'd like to call it) than Ferdinand has to the ones who have his role.
Ferdinand certainly has more in his locker but Vidic has been the best of the defenders in his role for longer. For me he may have been the best "destroyer" CB for 5-6 years in a row whereas Ferdinand(with more competition however) has been the best in his role maybe 2-4 years in his career.
It is very hard to compare them due to this and I can't really disagree with people whatever they think.
Ferdinand certainly has more in his locker but Vidic has been the best of the defenders in his role for longer. For me he may have been the best "destroyer" CB for 5-6 years in a row whereas Ferdinand(with more competition however) has been the best in his role maybe 2-4 years in his career.
It is very hard to compare them due to this and I can't really disagree with people whatever they think.
He clearly was.
You dont win PFA player of the year for nothing. Baresi's comments about him speak volumes as well...
Actually think Vidic is a slightly better defender. The 2 together are one of the greatest pairings of all time.
It's almost impossible to be a better defender than Rio at his best. Every single facet of his defensive game at his best was amongst the best I've seen - positioning, pace, aerial ability, composure, one on one, everything... No weaknesses whatsoever and amazing strengths; perfect.
Once he stopped making those lapses in concentration Rio was virtually flawless. He had great ability to carry the ball forward as well in his younger days. I'd say he is more unique than a Vidic style of player, but Vidic is so good that they have to be equal in terms of greatness I feel.
You need to keep the actual point of the thread in mind. This is "SAF's Greatest". McGrath's time under Fergie wasn't great, he wasn't even the manager when McGrath was playing his best stuff at United.
Rio is the best for me - only other contenders are Vidic, Stam and Pallister (who is always ignored in favour of Bruce but was undoubtedly the better player)
McGrath was a great player but not under Fergie
McGrath was a great player but not under Fergie
Well, to be fair, I'm only judging by first hand experience of seeing them all play live.
Seconded!
Agree 100%..... Nearly worth its own thread actually.
Not me agreeing with you now, just the best partnerships bit!
I preferred Vidic. Rio is absolutely class but Vidic seem to have more assurance about him. I feel much safer with Vidic in the backline. Having said that, having them both play for us is just amazing.
So in your opinion due to your "first hand experience" McGrath was better than both Vidic and Stam during his time at United under Fergie? Yeah, alright then.
Vidic is better, but that's no insult to Rio. Vidic is just a beast of the highest order.
Rio is the best centre-half I've seen in my entire life. As good as Vidic is, he couldn't touch Rio at his very best.
no love for fullbacks or are they not classed as defenders anymore?
Rios out on his own as SAFs best defender imo
Vidic and Stam were/are ace, real good blood and guts defenders but not a patch on Rio who just plays a different game to most centrehalves
Top 5 Rio, Irwin, Stam, Gazza, Vidic
Rios out on his own as SAFs best defender imo
Vidic and Stam were/are ace, real good blood and guts defenders but not a patch on Rio who just plays a different game to most centrehalves
Top 5 Rio, Irwin, Stam, Gazza, Vidic
Rio had everything for me. Excellent defender and an excellent footballer.
Rio, Stam, Vidic for me in that order.
But its all opinion., and tbh, we've been lucky to have all three (and tbh, weve been lucky to have Bruce, pally and even Johnsen who wasnt bad himself and worked perfectly as a partner for Stam)
But its all opinion., and tbh, we've been lucky to have all three (and tbh, weve been lucky to have Bruce, pally and even Johnsen who wasnt bad himself and worked perfectly as a partner for Stam)
I'd have Ferdinand in all my time eleven personally.
Ferdinand no question for me, in my opinion he's the second best centre back of the entire decade behind Nesta.
I would have Stam as Fergie's second best who was an absolute monster, and not far off Rio. He was a one man defence at times and I'd have loved to have seen him playing alongside someone like Rio at United.
I would have Stam as Fergie's second best who was an absolute monster, and not far off Rio. He was a one man defence at times and I'd have loved to have seen him playing alongside someone like Rio at United.
So would I. At his peak, he was the best defender in the world full stop. Even now, despite injuries and losing pace, he's still very good, was probably the best CB in the league last year and is still worthy of being a starter and wearing the jersey, no problem. He's an immense player, his qualities have been underlined enough in this topic, and it's great that Fergie bought Vidic cos they really formed an incredibly pairing at the back.
Don't even want to get into the bollocks about 'sporting reasons' and the England team.
As for Rio, despite him probably being a bit of an idiot, I can't help but like him, seems like a decent bloke at heart, great to have around the team, and definitely seems to love the club.
Hope he has a good night this evening.
No. I never said that. If you re read what I said you'll realise that I think Rio's the best defender we've had since McGrath...in fact I think he's arguably better than the Irishman. At no point did I mention anything about Fergie's greatest defender. So let me make my point again, Rio's the best defender I(I as in me, I'm sure I can say that despite the the title of the thread) have seen since McGrath.
I hope I've been helpful.
I can't choose between Rio and Vidic. Both monsters at the top of their game during that 2006-2009 run where we dominated Europe. Grates me how little credit that entire team gets.
Dominated Europe? Steady eddie!
Well, for like, a year they did.
Fair enough.
Broke numerous defensive records in Europe. That team got to one semi final and 2 finals, winning one. That's only been bettered by Barcelona in the last few years I believe.
Broke numerous defensive records in Europe. That team got to one semi final and 2 finals, winning one. That's only been bettered by Barcelona in the last few years I believe.
Well in that case forgive me, I thought you were referring to Fergie's greatest defender in the thread about Fergie's greatest defender.
Vidic still turns funny. A flaw all too easily exploited.
As much as I like Vidic, he can be easily exposed when left with small, pacey forwards. Eto'o's goal against us is a good reminder of that.
Rio reads the game better and is a whole lot better in 1 v 1s.
Rio reads the game better and is a whole lot better in 1 v 1s.
I would go
1.Ferdinand
2.Stam
3.Vidic
One thing that has probably Rio in his career is that he did ballet as a kid. It's hard to think of a central defender with as much agility as him.
1.Ferdinand
2.Stam
3.Vidic
One thing that has probably Rio in his career is that he did ballet as a kid. It's hard to think of a central defender with as much agility as him.
Him and Nesta are the best of their generation for me. Thuram too, though he's a tad bit older. Have them three over Cannavaro though.
Cannavaro is the most overrated defender ever.
Rio is more prone to being bullied by physical defenders, such as Drogba. I don't trust him with aerial attacks as I do Vidic.
Rio is world class, but like all defenders, he has/had his flaws.
I think that Rio is by far the best CB to have ever played under Fergie (and the best CB in United history). Vidic is great too, but Rio at his best was a much better defender IMO. The only central defender that played in this century and was better than him, in my opinion was Nesta.
Although I agree he has one of the most hilariously awkward turns in professional sports it is not really a negative to his game. It is more of an aesthetic flaw than anything that ruins his game.