Vidic denies exit rumors

Colonel Ronan · Feb 19, 2010

Nemanja Vidic denies he wants to exit Manchester United

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has insisted he does not want to leave the Premier League champions.

The 28-year-old has been the subject of persistent rumours that he is keen for a move from Old Trafford.

But Vidic has denied this as well as dismissing reports he has fallen out with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I have never had a conflict with Sir Alex Ferguson and speculation that I want to leave is untrue," Vidic told Belgrade newspaper Vecernje Novosti.

Vidic has not played for United this year because of a calf injury but some newspapers in England and Serbia had suggested he had fallen out with Ferguson over his fitness ahead of United's FA Cup third-round 1-0 home defeat by Leeds in January.

This further fuelled speculation that he was angling for a move, with United's current Champions League opponents AC Milan and Spanish side Real Madrid both keen to recruit the Serbian international.

However, Vidic has pledged his loyalty to United, whom he joined from Spartak Moscow for a fee in the region of £7m in January 2006.

"I have a contract until the summer of 2012 and I have every intention of seeing it through to the very last day," insisted Vidic.

"United have made me the player I am today and there is no substance whatsoever in rumours that I have been looking for a move away to either Real Madrid or AC Milan."

This week, Ferguson stated he wants Vidic to remain at United.

Ferguson retorted: "Of course we want him to stay. He is a great player; one of the world's best centre-backs."

Vidic is back in training after missing 10 games because of a problem with a nerve in a leg.

He is targeting a return to first-team action for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Milan at Old Trafford on March 10.

"I can't wait to get back on the pitch and although I've had a long layoff, I feel strong and fit again," he commented.

"I think I will return to action very quickly and hopefully I will be back to my best as soon as I am picked in the starting line-up again."

Ferguson added: "It's a difficult one. He feels he needs to do a lot of training and has been training for the past 10 days but he doesn't feel ready to take part in games.

"It is something we have to be patient with and that is what we are doing at the moment."

United hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg of the Champions League tie at the San Siro and Vidic is confident they can complete the job.

"We got a great result at Milan but we have to raise our game for the return leg and I am sure we can," he added.

Vidic has been a big success for United, becoming a key player in the side that won three successive Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008, but speculation that his wife Ana is unhappy in the north west has persisted.

There have also been suggestions that advisers to Vidic, whose contract runs out in 2012, have been happy to let rumours rumble on because it may bring forward talks on a new contract.
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Kinder · Apr 17, 2010

Really? That's wierd!, Thanks for the update. Hopefully he will NOT be leaving us! One of the, if not the best defender in Manchester United, We can't loose him.

Colonel Ronan · Apr 17, 2010

He's definitely an integral part of United's squad. I don't see him leaving any time soon.

speeds · Apr 17, 2010

Massively overrated defender, IMHO. He holds his position and clears the ball well. Otherwise I just can't see why the English media dangles from his nuts. I think Ferdinand is a much more well rounded defender.

Colonel Ronan · Apr 17, 2010

speeds said: ↑

Massively overrated defender, IMHO. He holds his position and clears the ball well. Otherwise I just can't see why the English media dangles from his nuts. I think Ferdinand is a much more well rounded defender.
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I'd agree that he's overrated but he's still a quality defender. I wouldn't rate him any higher or lower than Jagielka, Vermaelen, Toure, etc etc, though.

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