Manchester United skipper Nemanja Vidic has admitted that the Reds are out of this year’s title race after his side sunk to defeat at Stamford Bridge.
The 32-year-old, who was sent off in the 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, also refused to blame David Moyes for the club’s inconsistent form this season.
The loss in West London was the club’s seventh in the Premier League this season, leaving the champions 14 points behind leaders Arsenal in the table.
In an interview with Sky Sports Vidic said: “Yes, I think so now we are too far behind. We have to focus now to get in the top three, top four. We have to be positive.”
Vidic, whose late challenge on Eden Hazard earned him an early shower, admitted securing a top-four place is a difficult challenge for the Red Devils this term but has urged his team-mates to come together.
“It’s not going to be easy but we have to now fight for different things,” added the Serbian.
“We have to focus on the [Capital One] Cup and the Champions League. It’s never easy but we have to stay positive, we have to stick together, we have to work hard to change the things around.
“Hopefully we can play better football and with a bit of luck I think we can achieve that.”
With only 16 more games left in the Premier League, experienced campaigners such as Vidic will need to help the Reds find consistent form in order to qualify for the Champions League.
The experienced centre-back also claimed that United players are becoming ‘tired’ of questions regarding David Moyes and refused to blame the Scot for the club’s form this season.
“Let’s focus on other games that are coming. We cannot always speak about managers – ‘is he coming?’ – you just keep coming back to these kind of questions,” said the 32-year-old.
“I have to say the players are tired to speak about that any more, I think the manager’s trying to do the best he can.”
Vidic will now be out of action for United’s crucial Capital One Cup semi-final clash against Sunderland, where the reds trail the Black Cats 2-1 after the first leg.
Image courtesy of nasmac, with thanks
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