A tearful goodbye looks imminent at Old Trafford come this summer as present club captain and Serbian Nemaja Vidic is to leave the Premier League Champions at the end of the season, the centre back announced on Friday.
Vidic’s contract ends in the summer and while manager David Moyes had spoken to him regarding and extension and possibility to stay at the red half of Manchester, Vidic decided it was time to move on.
“I have decided that I will move on at the end of this season,” said Vidic, in a statement released by United. I want to challenge myself again and try to make the best of myself in the coming years. 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.”
The Serbian who moved to United in the winter of 2007 from Spartak Moscow still remembers his dream to play for The Red Devils one day while he was still a boy. Vidic’s 7m was announced on Christmas Day. Since then he captained United to their historic 20th title last season – his fifth and the last under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He also helped United win the Champions League in 2008, secured by a penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea in Moscow, as well as three League Cups, a testament of impeccable quality at the back and willingness to succeed in club colours.
However, he made only 19 league appearances last season after he was laid low by a severe knee injury first suffered in a shock Champions League defeat by Swiss side Basel in 2011 that led to two major operations
Here are the stats for Vidic‘s appearances in United colours in the Premier League
|
Season |
Appearances |
|
2005-06 |
11 |
|
2006-07 |
25 |
|
2007-08 |
32 |
|
2008-09 |
34 |
|
2009-10 |
24 |
|
2010-11 |
35 |
|
2011-12 |
6 |
|
2012-13 |
19 |
|
2013-14 |
15 |
“I have had eight wonderful years here,” added Vidic, who has made 201 Premier League appearances. My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career.
I will certainly never forget that fantastic night in Moscow, memories that will live with me and the fans for ever.”
Premier League: 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2012/13
UEFA Champions League: 2007/08
League Cup: 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10
Community Shield: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013
FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
INDIVIDUAL
PFA Team of the Year: 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09
Barclays Premier League Player of the Year: 2008/09, 2010/11
Vidic‘s decision will make a new central defender a priority for Moyes this summer, particularly with 35-year-old Rio Ferdinand also out of contract at the end of June. Talking of options, Vidic should attract enough attention of free-spending Monaco in France and Roberto Mancini’s Galatasaray, while Serie A trioof Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus might also get him on their radar.
