English Premier League: United set to offer Vidic a new contract
Manchester United are believed to be considering an offer of an improved contract for their star defender, Vidic. The Serbian international, who represented his country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been the target of intense summer transfer window speculation, his main destination has been touted as the sunnier shores of Real Madrid.
The main problem seems to be Vidic’s wife rather than the player himself. It is reported that his wife is unhappy with life in gloomy England and wants to move towards a much livelier place. Spain is thought by many in club football to be a party destination with lower income taxes and a relaxation in the disciplinary levels at clubs as well.
Vidic has been at United since the winter of 2006. His first impressive season at United was in 2006-2007, when he formed a solid partnership with Rio Ferdinand in the center of Manchester United’s defense. He continued his form during the next two seasons as the red devils won three consecutive Premier League titles from 2006 till 2009.
Nemanja’s performances in the World Cup for Serbia were not quite satisfactory though, he gave away a clear cut penalty by handling the ball inside Serbia’s penalty area during their group match against Germany. His overall displays during the tournament in South Africa were quite terrible. Vidic is known famously for his uncompromising defensive and aerial abilities.
Some people have also attributed the transfer speculation linking Vidic to Real Madrid to his current contract at the club, under which he earns around 70,000 pounds per week, whereas his defensive partner Rio Ferdinand is on a much higher wage rate. The Serbian center back is scheduled return to Manchester United on 28th of July, 2010.
United have been pushed into action by Real Madrid’s interest in their defender and are set to hold transfer talks with the Serbian and resolve the matter before 31st of August, 2010. Vidic’s current contract at United runs out in 2012.
If United do offer Vidic an improved contract during the current transfer window, they will be making an exception as the red devils now review and consider all player contracts once they enter their last 12 months of the deal. The only present exemption to this rule is their star striker Wayne Rooney.
When Sir Alex Ferguson was asked about Vidic’s future at the club after his team’s pre-season against Philadelphia Union, he stated that he can’t clarify the situation at all. Fergie also said that he believed that Nemanja will be at United next season as well.
Ferguson will be striving to keep control of his defender, who is going to be crucial to United’s push to win back the English Premier League title from Chelsea. With Rio Ferdinand suffering frequent knee and back injuries and Brown as his only backup, Vidic’s move away from Manchester could spell destruction for United defense.
However, Fergie did buy Chris Smalling who is a young center back from Fulham but the young Englishman is still to earn precious first team experience, as at just 20 years of age, Smalling is considered to be too young to come straight into United’s starting lineup.
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