By spending more time in the treatment room and on crutches in the last couple of seasons than on the pitch, Nemanja Vidic is writing his own ticket away from Manchester United, who need someone a little less injury prone to be their star starting centre back, not to mention his inconsistent form when actually playing. AC Milan, looking for an improvement in their defensive line, might be the big club to swoop for the Serbian.
After the 2010-2011 campaign, which ended with another Manchester United Premier League title and a third Champions League final in four seasons, many would have agreed that Vidic is the world’s top centre back, overtaking Rio Ferdinand as the leader of the United defense, adding a knack for scoring important goals to his excellent defensive form. But, a season ending injury in 2011-2012 has been something he hasn’t recovered from. Over the last couple of seasons it’s been one injury after the other, allowing Vidic to play in only 20 matches.
While Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand have done well without him, especially in their better understanding with the highly criticized David de Gea, Vidic seems more and more out of place at Old Trafford. He’ll be turning 31 in 7 months, which means his time with the club, despite a contract that runs out in 2014, might be over this summer.
AC Milan are interested in partnering Philippe Mexes with someone other than Zapata or anyone else they’ve been using last season since the mass exodus of the veterans. While Vidic and Mexes doesn’t make for the youngest of duos, a fresh start for Vidic at a league that at the moment is regarded as slightly easier than the one in England might be the best thing for him as he enters his final years of his footballing career.
The price? While it’s hard to value him at the moment because you honestly don’t know what a physical might show, Ferguson is hoping he can fetch close to £10 million after signing him for £7 million in 2005. It’s probably going to be for much less than his asking price – Vidic isn’t that good anymore, his contract runs out in a year, and Milan aren’t exactly big spenders for players in their mid 30’s.