Schmeichel hails Man Utd defence

Former Old Trafford keeper Peter Schmeichel has hailed Manchester United's defence as "the best in the world" and praised Nemanja Vidic.

United have gone 13 Premier League games without conceding, taking a firm grip of the title race in the process.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has taken a lot of credit but Schmeichel said defender Vidic has played his part.

"Edwin gets a lot of praise but Vidic's displays in the last two years are second to none," said the Dane.

United can go five points clear of second-placed Liverpool if they beat Fulham at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have already won 10 of their 11 home league games, scoring 25 goals and conceding just four in the process.

"We've the best defence in the world," said Schmeichel, who spent eight years at United, winning the title five times and skippering them to victory in the 1999 Champions League final.

"I can't see anyone scoring (against them). It's great to have that feeling of confidence."

While their top-flight rivals may have found goals hard to come by against the league leaders, United did concede to Championship side Derby County at the weekend.

Miles Addison beat Van der Sar's deputy, Ben Foster, with a second-half header as United reached the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 win.

Van der Sar should be back in goal for the visit of Fulham - and Schmeichel says the 38-year-old Dutchman has been a major source of "inspiration" for the team.

"I think Edwin has done tremendously well," said the ex-international. "It's great to see him come into the team and give stability.

"You can see the faith and trust everyone has in him. He is an inspiration to the players in front of him."

Schmeichel also said the 27-year-old Vidic, a £7m capture from Spartak Moscow in January 2006, had been a positive influence on those around him, in particular fellow centre-half Rio Ferdinand.

"Ferdinand is the best defender in the world," said Schmeichel, who also played in the Premier League for Aston Villa and Manchester City. "He's learned so much from Vidic."