Zenit beat Manchester United 2-1 in Monaco in the annual fixture between the holders of the UEFA Cup and the Champions League.

"Zenit were better because they created more chances than us. I have to admit that our opponents deserved their victory," said Vidic, who signed for Manchester United from Spartak Moscow in 2006 after two years at t

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he Russian club.

The Serb international was talking to Russia's Sovetski-Sport newspaper.

Vidic dismissed media speculation that the Champions League holders had not been motivated for the game, which is essentially an exhibition match.

"If you are a player with a club like Manchester United then you want to win in every game," he said. Indeed, United's Paul Scholes was sent off after a desperate attempt to level the score with his hand, and the club's Scottish manager Alex Ferguson fielded his best available side.

"I've never won the Super Cup," went on Vidic, "and I would have liked to have the medal at home."

Vidic scored United's only goal in the game with a well-placed shot in the 73rd minute following a corner.

Zenit's performance was also praised in the British media. "We could be witnessing the dawn of a new force in the European game," read an article in The Times.

The St. Petersburg club's second goal was scored by new record signing, Danny. The Portuguese midfielder ran past the Manchester defense, which seemed to have one eye on another Zenit star, Andrey Arshavin, to slot home a fine solo goal after an hour of play.

Tottenham Hotspur have been in the market for Arshavin since the end of Euro 2008, but with less than 24 hours until the closure of the European transfer window it seems unlikely that Arshavin will now move to the English Premier League side.

MOSCOW, September 1 (RIA Novosti)