Vidić points way forward for United

Manchester United FC hardly had time to celebrate one triumph before looking to the next. With their third successive Premier League title safely secured on Saturday, sights are already set on the UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona on 27 May.

Second nature
While winning back-to-back domestic titles has become second nature to Sir Alex Ferguson's side, achieving that feat on the European stage has proven a tougher proposition, and not just for United. The English champions are the first team since Juventus in 1997 to return to the UEFA Champions League final as holders, and they are bidding to become just the first club since AC Milan in 1990 to retain the trophy. No side has successfully defended the trophy in the UEFA Champions League era, not that United centre-back Nemanja Vidić, who was named as the club's Player of the Season at the weekend, has felt any added pressure during his side's defence of their European crown. "We believe in ourselves," he told uefa.com. "It's the habit. If you are here and want to play for Manchester United you know what you need to do: win trophies. Nothing has changed this year compared to last."

Bedrock
The Serbian has reinforced that winning ethos since joining from FC Spartak Moskva in January 2006. The UEFA Champions League, three Premier League titles, the FIFA World Club Cup and two League Cups have been won since he has been paired with Rio Ferdinand at centre-back. Again this season they have been the bedrock to United's success. Vidić started every match during the club's record run of 14 Premier League games without conceding a goal in the new year that provided the springboard to pull clear of their domestic rivals. During that sequence United were 1-0 winners eight times.

'Best partner'
United also boast the strongest defence in the UEFA Champions League, having conceded just six times at an average of 0.5 goals per game en route to the final. FC Barcelona, in contrast have let in 13, over a goal a game. Vidić and Ferdinand form an indomitable partnership, enhanced by an intuitive understanding. "Rio's a great player with great abilities," Vidić said. "We think in the same way on the pitch. I can't explain. It just happens. Some players you just feel good when you play with them and with Rio I feel good when I play and I just enjoy it. Rio is the best partner I have had."

Pressure
While Sir Alex rotates the rest of his side, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, Vidić and Ferdinand are routinely selected when fit. Vidić has played more games, 54, than any other United player this season and helps set the tone for the rest of the team. "Playing for this club you have the pressure every week and you need to deal with that," the 27-year-old said. "When you have bad games or good games, you need to be focused, your excitement can go too high and also too low. You need to know how to be able to deal with these things. It's a mental thing and we have the players to do it well on the pitch."

Moscow triumph
For United, that means never getting carried away with success. After each triumph new goals are set. No sooner had United won the UEFA Champions League in Moscow last May than Sir Alex was plotting its defence. Drained after an absorbing final, the United manager quietly reflected on a historic night for the club. Already, though, thoughts were on the future. "The moment of that final penalty save from Edwin van der Sar, that was my moment, my euphoria and excitement, then you just carry on," he said that night. "We won't get carried away with it. Tomorrow I'll be thinking of next season."

'Forget the past'
It is a philosophy he has instilled in his players. "Forget the past," Vidić said when asked to reflect on that triumph over Chelsea. "We celebrated with the trophy, with the players and family. The next day we flew home. After that we just finished the season. When we started the next season we just spoke about what would happen [next], we forgot about what was behind us, because that is the past and we only look forward. That is the thing about this club. We try to focus just about what's next." With the Premier League safely won for another season, all roads now lead to Rome.