Vidic - Team is driven by critics

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic claims that the club's vociferous critics propelled them to the brink of a record 19th top-flight title.

Serbian international Vidic claims that the voices of the naysayers helped him and his team-mates on their path to glory.

"Compliments are not always good for you," Vidic said. "Criticism can help a team. Back in early season there were people always trying to compare this team to other United teams.

"They were saying we didn't have the individuals like we used to and that we weren't as good. But you look at the names in this team and you think, 'How could they say that?'

"We have never been focused on what people have been saying about us, but you can still get benefits from it. It can be a positive. Sometimes criticism can help a side. It can drag you forward. You have to work harder to prove to your critics that anything they say is not true.

"It pushes you to work harder. If you are getting compliments then that can have the opposite effect. It can relax you. You start believing what people are saying about you and you are not on top of your game.

"If we win the title, we will have proven to everyone that we are a very good team - and will have proven them wrong."

Vidic also echoed Ferguson's comments made earlier this week that the United side's youthful nucleus - which includes players such as Javier Hernandez, Nani and Chris Smalling - mean that the Red Devils can go on to dominate English football for several more years.

"This team has space to grow," he added. "I think that next season we will be even better. We have so many young players and great potential in this squad.

"Some teams you feel have the potential to grow and improve. This team has it."