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Vida and Rio keep United ahead of Chelsea

OLD Trafford's new defensive double act can keep United's noses in front as the title race hots up over Christmas.

That his the verdict of Reds skipper Gary Neville, the man who plays along side the solid centre-back partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Chelsea's back-to-back titles were built the solid foundations laid by John Terry and Co, who conceded 22 fewer goals than their United counterparts in their two season of glory.

But this season United's Premiership table-toppers are level-pegging with Jose Mourinho's defenders, having shipped just nine.

That has meant Chelsea, who edged past Newcastle 1-0 last night to close the Reds' lead to five points, have been the chasing team this term. That is thanks largely to the silk and steel partnership of Ferdinand and Vidic.

"Vida has been nothing short of fantastic over the last two or three months," enthused Neville.

"He has been an outstanding performer. But, for me, Rio is still the one single most important member. He offers that calmness and experience and positional sense. Nothing fazes him.

"It is a partnership; they both need each other. They compliment each other. We are blessed.

"The manager said last season he wanted to create a solid foundation at the back. We are seeing more of that. We look like we are enjoying defending."

Whilst Ferdinand is the obvious silk in the pairing, tough guy Vidic is has been showing more and more of his steel.

Hero

The Serbian is becoming an Old Trafford cult hero after coming to terms with life in England following his £7m move from Spartak Moscow last January.

And Neville believes he's developing into a similar figure to one of his legendary former United colleagues.

"He is a good old-fashioned defender. He loves to head the ball. He loves to tackle," added Neville. "He is a little bit like Steve Bruce in the way he plays. He is infectious in the way he makes everybody around him want to defend in the same manner.

Calm

"But not everybody in the back four can be like that. You have to have the calm one alongside him and Rio is very important to our back four. Vida is benefiting from having Rio alongside him.

"He is keeping Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre out of the team and they are excellent players in their own right, so he must be doing well. And he has also been an asset going forward because he has scored some important goals."