Connect with us

Manchester United News

Vidic confirms United exit

Sunderland-v-Manchester-United-2999112Nemanja Vidic has confirmed he will leave Manchester United when his contract expires in the summer, bringing an end to his eight-year spell at Old Trafford and confirming the rumours that have linked the Serbian defender with a move to away from the Premier League for quite some time.

Lately, the United captain’s influence has been limited by two serious knee injuries over the last three seasons, which reduced his physical impact and forced him to sit out long spells of United’s campaigns, with Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes wary of managing the Serbian’s fitness in order to get the best of out him.

Vidic’s recent injury record will have undoubtedly played a part in United’s decision to stall over a potential new deal for the 32-year-old, who has now accepted he’s no longer as prominent a figure in the manager’s plans as he had been under Sir Alex Ferguson and he’s ready to move on.

“It’s the last year of my contract and I have had eight wonderful years here. My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career,” said Vidic, who has attracted interest from Fiorentina, Inter Milan and Juventus.

“I never could have imagined winning 15 trophies and I will certainly never forget that fantastic night in Moscow [winning the Champions League], memories that will live with me and the fans forever.

“However, I have decided that I will move on at the end of this season. I want to challenge myself again and try to make the best of myself in the coming years,” continued the 32-year-old.

“I’m not considering staying in England as the only club I ever wanted to play for here is Manchester United and I was lucky enough to be part of this club for so many years. I’ve got a few options to move on and I will choose the right one for me and for my family.

“I am now going to focus all my efforts on playing for Manchester United and do the best I can for the team until the end of the season.”

With Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra also set to leave United in the summer, suddenly the rearguard becomes in need of a huge revamp, comparable to the one the central midfield has been waiting for for the last six years. Here’s hoping that it won’t take that long to find Vidic’s heir.

Anybody looking forward to the summer?

Dan