Nemanja Vidic to leave Manchester United this summer

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic is set to leave the Red Devils this summer

Manchester United centre-back Nemanja Vidic has confirmed that he will leave the club this summer, after seven and a half years at Old Trafford.

The United captain’s contract expires in the July and the 32-year-old has decided to move to pastures new.

Outstanding

The Serbian defender has been outstanding throughout his Red Devils career. In fact it is fair to say that he is one of the best centre-backs the Premier League has ever seen. He will certainly be missed at the heart of the United defence.

Injuries have taken their toll on the big Serbian defender, as he has plagued by injuries in the last few seasons. No doubt courtesy of how he puts his body on the line for the United cause.

Vidic confirmed his decision to leave United with a statement on the clubs official website that read: “I never could have imagined winning 15 trophies and I will certainly never forget that fantastic night in Moscow, 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”.

Speculation

With summer fast approaching there has been speculation over the future of a number of United stars. United could lose three of their senior defenders. Vidic has now confirmed that he will be leaving Old Trafford, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand’s contracts are also up this summer.

If all three leave then David Moyes will have to find quality replacements for the trio. All three have played a major part in United’s achievements in recent years. However, all three have now seen better days.

Good enough

Manchester United already have the likes of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones within their ranks. There have been question marks over all three of the trio in recent seasons. Smalling is still relatively young at 23 years-old, but he has not yet completely convinced as a centre-back.

Phil Jones is regarded as one of the brightest young English talents around and is only 21-years-old. The England international has played in a number of positions for both England and United. However, his future is believed to lie in the centre of defence for both club and country.

Jonny Evans has been in and around the United squad for a long time, but his path to regular first team football was always blocked by the presence of Ferdinand and Vidic. The 26-year-old has played more games in recent seasons, due to Ferdinand and Vidic’s injury problems.

Evans has been reliable enough, but for some reason has never been considered United quality by a lot of Red Devils fans. United boss David Moyes was a centre-back in his playing days, so he should be able to bring the best out of the trio.

If Ferdinand, Evra and Vidic do all leave this summer then I have no doubts that the Scot will go out and strengthen his backline. Even if Evra and Ferdinand do stay at the club the Scot may still strengthen his defence.

Evolution

Nemanja Vidic leaving will be just the first step in David Moyes evolving his Manchester United team. The former-Everton boss has a major job on his hands overhauling the Manchester United squad for next season.

The Scot is believed to have a massive summer transfer kitty available to him. Moyes has only brought in one player at United so far, Marouane Fellaini. The big Belgian has been a big disappointment since his arrival at Old Trafford and has just returned after two months out injured.

Moyes has to be more successful in the transfer market this summer if he is to get United back on track next season.

Champions League

With just 14 league games left this season Manchester United are seven points behind Liverpool, who are fourth in the Premier League table. It has been unheard of in the Premier League years United not finishing in the top four.

United are currently odds of 3/1 to finish in the top four this season. The Red Devils have a lot of work to do to clinch a top four place and boss David Moyes could have a major rebuild on his hands this summer, Champions League football or no Champions League football next season.

Who would you be a good replacement for Nemanja Vidic?