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Rio Ferdinand has revealed that his defensive partner at Manchester United Nemanja Vidic stopped him from crying after the Champions League final in 2008, report the Manchester Evening News.

The pair formed the bedrock of one of the most glorious periods in Manchester United's recent history and were at the heart of the club's 15 trophy wins between 2006 and 2013.

Ferdinand and Vidic both started United's dramatic penalty shootout win against Chelsea in the Luzhniki Stadium in 2008 and were eagerly awaiting the chance to lift 'Ol Big Ears for the first time.

Club legend Sir Bobby Charlton spoke to Ferdinand before he climbed the steps as skipper - which nearly brought him to tears 50 years on from the Munich Air Disaster.

(Image: Getty Images)

But Ferdinand has revealed that Vidic stepped in to prevent him from breaking down.

"He [Sir Bobby] came down and started speaking to me about the history of the club, and what it meant to be the captain to go up the steps and pick up the trophy," he told BT Sport.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

"He said a few nice, kind words and then I saw my family on the other side and it just hit me - my lip started going and I started to well up a little bit.

"I remember Vida just stood there and said, 'Rio, not here'... And I went, 'Sorry Vida, yeah' and we went up (to collect the trophy)."