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Paul Scholes dubbed Man United team-mate 'lunatic' and will face him at Soccer Aid

Paul Scholes is set to take part in Soccer Aid 2025, with a former team-mate whom he once described as a bit of a 'lunatic' on the opposing team at Old Trafford

Paul Scholes looks on
Paul Scholes once branded Nemanja Vidic as a 'lunatic'(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)

Paul Scholes once dubbed former Manchester United team-mate Nemanja Vidic as a "lunatic," as the two prepare to clash at Soccer Aid.

The two Red Devils icons will be part of the star-studded cast returning to Old Trafford on Sunday evening to help raise funds for Unicef through a charitable football match. Though they shared great success during their time together in the Premier League, Scholes and Vidic find themselves on opposing sides for Soccer Aid.


Scholes will stand with fellow English legends Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Gary Neville against Vidic's World XI team, featuring John O'Shea, Carlos Tevez and Edwin van der Sar. While the event promises to be an entertaining showdown between old teammates and celebrities, Scholes' previous remarks on Vidic suggest he may be a little anxious on coming up against him.


The Serbian defender was known for his robust style and no-nonsense approach during his stint at United. Previously speaking to the UTD podcast about what Vidic was like to play alongside, the 50-year-old said: "I was fairly good at tackling. It was all calculated. I was just getting people back. That's all I was doing.

"I never instigated. If someone got me, there's a chance I'd get them back. Vida [Vidic] had some tackles in the box, he could be a lunatic," reports the Mirror.

He added: "He didn't play as a centre half in five-a-side. He was one of those defenders that thought he could play a bit as a No. 10. You know what I mean?

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"When you get to a five-a-side he does anything but play in his position, 'Give it to me' all that stuff. But when it came to a match he would head and kick everything.

Nemanja Vidic smiles and applauses Manchester United fans from the pitch
Nemanja Vidic will go down as a club legend at Manchester United(Image: PA)

"In training he could be a bit moody and a nuisance in the box especially but a great centre half. He was perfect for English football. He could head the ball, tackle, he was great, a really good player."

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After quickly establishing a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand upon arriving at Old Trafford in 2006, Vidic made 300 appearances for the Red Devils, winning five Premier League titles, three League Cups and a Champions League. Vidic left United in 2014 to join Inter Milan, before retiring from an illustrious career in January 2016.

Scholes, on the other hand, spent his entire professional football career with United, scoring 155 goals and providing 82 assists in 716 games, primarily as a central midfielder. Alongside Vidic, he is among a host of well-known names who will participate in Soccer Aid on Sunday, including content creators like Morgan Burtwhistle (AKA AngryGinge) and fellow athletes like Sir Mo Farah and Tony Bellew.

Football enthusiasts can watch all the action live on ITV1 and ITVX from 6pm onwards. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm.

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Paul ScholesNemanja VidicManchester United FCSoccer AidOld TraffordITVFootball blog
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