United Veteran Warns Club against Complacency, Even with 15-Point Lead

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has stressed the Premier League leaders will not take the title for granted this season, despite leading defending champions Manchester City by 15 points.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men are gunning for a 20th league title and will be aware they lost the championship, on the last day, last season after leading by eight points at one time.

The record winning gap is the 18-point lead United established over Arsenal in 1999/00 and the Serbian international is aware his side could break that barrier this season. However, the centre-back explains that it is more important to ensure they carry a lead into the final stages of the season, rather than worry about how big it may be.

"What happened on the last day of last season is the reason why sometimes you can feel the fans in the stands getting nervous. But I don't think we should allow that to happen again. In fact, we can't allow that to happen again. We should enjoy playing in this position. It is a good time for us," Vidic said.

"Fifteen points is a big gap and we shouldn't let that change. We have the title in our hands but we still have games to play, some tough ones. Nothing is finished but we are in a good position," Vidic added.

And it isn't just Vidic who is eager to ensure there is no repeat of last season. Youngster Chris Smalling is equally determined.

"The heartbreak of last season's finale is a massive incentive to make sure we hold on to this lead," Smalling stressed, adding, "There will be no resting on laurels, you can be sure of that."

The league leaders beat Reading 1-0 over the weekend, courtesy an early Wayne Rooney strike. And City's hopes of a second miraculous comeback have likely been dashed after David Moyes' Everton shocked them 2-0 at Goodison Park.

Worse still, as far as Roberto Mancini is concerned, the defeat to Everton leaves his side vulnerable to attack from Chelsea and Tottenham in third and fourth; they are four and five points back respectively.