David Moyes is reportedly organizing an overhaul of Manchester United’s faltering squad over the summer months, and news reports today suggest that centre-back Nemanja Vidic may be one of those to depart Old Trafford.
The Serb, erstwhile captain of the club formed an indomitable partnership with Rio Ferdinand for many years at the heart of the United defence, but a series of debilitating injuries has blunted the effectiveness of the duo and with the contracts of both players having only a few months to run, the pair now may leave at the conclusion of the season. It’s thought that Ferdinand may head to America and see out his career in the MLS, but Vidic is apparently bound for Italy, and Inter Milan.
With the contract situation as it is, the players are free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with other clubs for the upcoming season. The player’s agent has already said that his charge is unlikely to sign a new deal at Old Trafford, and reports suggest that Vidic has taken advantage of this, and talks between representatives have taken place. In Italy, sources have claimed that a delegation from Inter flew to Manchester over the weekend to meet with the defender and discuss a possible move. Further talks are understood to be planned, but it seems the move is likely to go ahead.
Whilst losing players such as Ferdinand and Vidic will be seen as cutting al ink with the past glory years of Sir Alex Ferguson, it cannot be denied that both players have become relatively peripheral figures of late and have not appeared in the first team with any regularity. Move players on as their contracts expired must always have been an important element of the plan, once Moyes had settled on a reshaping of the squad, and this seems to be very much fitting in with that.
It’s likely that to all intents and purposed United are already planning for next season, with the current one, although not written off, probably accepted to be one of inevitable transition. It could be a very busy summer at Old Trafford.
For more from All Blue Daze:
Facebook: facebook.com/AllBlueDaze
Twitter: @All_Blue_Daze