Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic was forced to act as peacemaker as Serbia fans invaded the pitch during yesterday's friendly defeat to New Zealand.

Stand-in captain Vidic picked up a microphone and addressed Serb thugs through the stadium's PA system in Klagenfurt to appeal for calm after trouble erupted in the second half.

Flares and missiles were hurled on to the pitch as Serb fans showed their displeasure at their team. Dozens of supporters invaded the playing surface and were engaged in running battles with stewards as players prepared to flee to the dressing room.

But the plea for order from Vidic, captain in the absence of Dejan Stankovic, appeared to work and the game was restarted having been held up for several minutes.