Jaap Stam was the best CB I'd seen at United until Rio came along. McGrath did his best work for country and Villa, but would rank above them all for career peak, for me, but he's not part of this conversation. I'm curious as to how you rank the aforementioned three, and why you put them in the order you have. Incidentally, a combination of either Rio or Vidic with Stam would have been some sight to behold!
Mine:
1. Rio - Was the best defender in the world for a period of time (Nesta's injuries accepted) and was simply imperious at his best. Have him as a lock for United's all-time team.
2. Stam - Really enabled us to play with a high line. His reading of play, raw power and strength allied to his pace - once he picked up a head of steam - made him such an imposing figure. Perhaps the biggest shock sale of them all, despite talk of him being done for because of his injuries. Went on to be sublime in a strong Serie A, no bother.
3. Vidic - being ranked 'bottom' never looks good, but it's more testament to those above than Vidic being bad. Had less pace than the others, which is something he had to compensate for, which he did well with most of the time. An expert at dealing with any type of bruiser forward, but nimbler, fleet-footed ones were annoying fleas for him. I think his suscebility to that was greater than Rio's for donkeys, which does separate them, for me. But still an imperious CB and 3rd or 4th best of all-time for us, I think.
Where are you putting them, and why?
Mine:
1. Rio - Was the best defender in the world for a period of time (Nesta's injuries accepted) and was simply imperious at his best. Have him as a lock for United's all-time team.
2. Stam - Really enabled us to play with a high line. His reading of play, raw power and strength allied to his pace - once he picked up a head of steam - made him such an imposing figure. Perhaps the biggest shock sale of them all, despite talk of him being done for because of his injuries. Went on to be sublime in a strong Serie A, no bother.
3. Vidic - being ranked 'bottom' never looks good, but it's more testament to those above than Vidic being bad. Had less pace than the others, which is something he had to compensate for, which he did well with most of the time. An expert at dealing with any type of bruiser forward, but nimbler, fleet-footed ones were annoying fleas for him. I think his suscebility to that was greater than Rio's for donkeys, which does separate them, for me. But still an imperious CB and 3rd or 4th best of all-time for us, I think.
Where are you putting them, and why?