Nemanja Vidic’s future at Manchester United looks increasingly uncertain amid rumours two of Europe’s top clubs are chasing him, following his drop down the Old Trafford pecking order thanks a fresh injury on top of his eight-month lay off last season.
Vidic, a firm favourite with the United crowd, endured a serious knee injury during his side’s 2-1 defeat to Basel in the UEFA Champions League group stage and played just five games until limping off again last month.
His spell on the sidelines has given fellow centre-halves Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling the opportunity to prove themselves in his position and all three have not looked out of place at the back, especially in last weekend’s convincing 3-0 win at Newcastle.
With United reportedly looking to further strengthen their defence in January, there may be little room for Vidic and with increased speculation both Juventus and Barcelona are interested in the 30-year-old it may be time for Vidic to move on.
Although many would view a transfer as an admittance that his career is on the wain, switching to another of Europe’s top clubs would certainly have its benefits. Both Barca and Juve would offer a slower game for Vidic to wind down his career and he would still play Champions League football.
Financially, his weekly wage would unlikely depreciate as Patrick Vieira – reportedly on £130,000 a week at Inter Milan despite being 30 when they signed him - can testify, plus the Serbian would benefit from a hefty signing on fee.
For United, they could expect a decent transfer fee for a player that struggles with his fitness and could reinvest such a sum in a young defender for the future, boosting their Barclays Premier League title odds in the process.
Vidic does still have his qualities but with his age and injury record Sir Alex Ferguson may well cash in on the defender before he runs out of stream for good.
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