Yesterday as I perused Twitter there was a debate raging over Nemanja Vidic and his supposed wish for a move away from the club.
A well know Guardian journalist claimed that Vidic wanted to leave the club and that his team mates as well as management had known for ages. It was implied that Vidic wanted parity with Rio Ferdinand with an improved contract that would see him earn in the £110k-£120k bracket and took umbrage as United stalled in offering him a deal this summer.
Vidic was signed in 2006 from Spartak Moscow on a contract that would have expired this summer but a year later signed an extension to his deal that expires in 2012 and sees him currently earn £70k. So does Vidic have a right to be angry after all this time?
The Serbian defender has become a fan favourite with his all action style and aerial dominance. When fully fit his central defensive pairing with Rio Ferdinand is one of the finest in the land and few will deny that, especially having seen the 07-08 season when the two came up against the cream of European football and came out on top as United did a League and European Cup double. To add to this the following season his importance shone in the back line as he was a mainstay in a backline hit by various injuries as well as being a corner stone in United’s defensive masterclass, starting every game when we went a record 14 games run without conceding and thus he was shortlisted for the PFA player of the year award for that season as well as winning the club’s player of the year award.
In just under 200 appearances for the club Vidic has gone from a known defender to one of the best in the world. He isn’t perfect and liable to the odd lapse here and there but as are many defenders. A raise of 40 or 50 thousand a week may seem a bit steep but for an established top level defender of his caliber it isn’t as bad as it sounds and you would be looking at a figure in the same range in terms of wages if we were to sign a player of his stature from another club
Despite the fact we have the likes of Jonny Evans to step in and fill the void, losing him would be a nightmare. He has built a chemistry with Rio Ferdinand that many defensive partnership never achieve and it has proven to be a solid foundation from which we can work from. To lose him now when we are on the verge of pairing the two together again, fully fit, would be a massive blow to our title chances before the season even starts.
I just hope we can sort this out before it become a problem that can not be fixed.
A lot of this could have been nipped in the bud if Vidic and his naff agent weren’t constantly blowing hot and cold sweet-nothings to the media and hiding behind his fine wife’s skirt. Vidic has done yeoman work for United–despite his inclination to swallow it in big games againt the likes of Torres and Eto’o–and ought to be offered what he wants. Otherwise, what we’ll get is another season of whinging and moaning, and maybe even another wildcat ‘injury’ break like last season, which can’t help dressing room morale at all. Rio’s body may indeed be paying him back for years of partying, but he’s managed to keep a relatively low profile at the club in spite of his magazine and television adventures. Rio and his handler, Pina Zahavi, have been far wiser in their dealings with the Gaffer. The so-called ‘secret meeting’ that everybody knew abut between Kenyon, Rio and Zahavi, set the stage for United to bite the bullet and pay him every penny he asked for. A master stroke!
The way i see it Rio was bought back in 2002 for a record price. He has been at the club for 8 years. Vidic has been here 4 years. had a string of great seasons and formed a on field relationship with Rio. Through the time he has spent here he deserves to be on that wages. some may argue how comes Rooney does and he has only been here 6 years. Wayne is a striker and is also a instrumental figure not to say Vida isn’t. If Vidic left tomorrow we would not struggle for replacements. If Wayne (GOD FORBID) left tomorrow we would find it hard to buy another player as effective for the right price. Tevez left because of the money Vida wants to leave because of the money (and his silly wife) Joe Cole left because of the money, kind of says a lot about todays players. They behave like everyone get paid 60/70k a week. How stupid! When Ronaldo left he left in pursuit of his dream (it should have been being a old grey man in a united shirt, but never mind that) so when he comes back the welcome will be as warm as the one Beckham got if not warmer. In my opinion i would sell Vida this transfer window. I do believe he’ll stay till Jan or next season.. I like Jonny Evans more anyway. lol
@Yosh
I think he has done enough to command higher than 70k a week.
It’s not a case of comparisons and if we can replace him, he’s here and we should treat him right as a United player.
We don’t know his demands but if as our first choice cb he is asking for 110k, for a club as big as United and for hat he’s done it’s not unreasonable