Why announce he is leaving at the end of the season in February?

I think it's a PR stunt from the club, they've told Vidic to say it so it doesn't look like Moyes is pushing him out.

I have a funny feeling about this, like macca i don't think it's a good sign. I don't think a player of his age can be over his prime and he is captain for crying out loud. I think he is either being pushed out or jumping ship and both don't look good.

Macca, you're seeing something that isn't there. SAF often let the older players leave to bring in the younger ones (not so much in his later years though).

Jones has been playing CM this season because he needs game time with Smalling, Evans and Vidic ahead of him in the pecking order at CB.

Moyes will almost certainly be bringing in a new CM or two this summer which will lessen Jones' time in the side which means for him to play enough games to fulfil his talent he will play a lot more as a CB.

Vidic has to leave for that to happen.

comment by RVP's Left Foot - The Fallen Giant (U11781)
posted 5 minutes ago
Macca, his agent said in January United offered him a new contract. He then said he would make a decision about it, which he has.
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Can I see a source for this with actual quotes Arab?

One of his former international teammates said on the radio this morning that he's frustrated.

Could be Woodward penny pinching I guess but even if he has been offered a new contract and he's decided he wants to move on, it still doesn't bode well for me.

And if it is true that he's been offered and he declined it, he should be stripped of the captaincy today.

It's the timing of this I just don't get. We're struggling in 7th in February and our Captain announces he's off at the end of the season?

Are people not that bothered because they think he's over the hill at only 32?

He's jumping a sinking ship and wants to make his wife happy.

Vidic has almost left a few times over the past few seasons and now probably just wants one final paycheque in sunnier shores.

As Robbing says above, his wife is a bit of a sunshine fan.

If we did offer him a new contract I expect that it was based around the number of appearances, considering his recent injury record. Perhaps he didn’t like that? At least this way we all know where we stand and the fans can thank him properly come the end of the season. I’d have rather had him around for another season, but if Moyes is looking to the future and Vidic was only going to be back-up, the move makes sense for everyone.

Robb

Sorry but we are struggling in 7th and our captain announces he is leaving in February?

I realise SAF sometimes let older players move on but no way in hell would he have mentioned that our captain is moving on in the February of a struggling season

For me, something just isn't right and I'm not necessarily saying it's the manager either

Vidic's agent on contract offer in Jan:

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/agent-vidic-considering-options_128896.html

It's great news for Jones because he finally will be getting a run in his best position. I really want to see him and Smalling get a run of games together and form a Rio/Vidic style partnership.

comment by UnitedRedMacca - Mata + Rooney + Januzaj + RVP = 4th place (U2024)
posted 1 minute ago
Robb

Sorry but we are struggling in 7th and our captain announces he is leaving in February?

I realise SAF sometimes let older players move on but no way in hell would he have mentioned that our captain is moving on in the February of a struggling season
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Did Moyes mention it, or did it come from the player?

What about when Keane left in the middle of a season?

comment by UnitedRedMacca - Mata + Rooney + Januzaj + RVP = 4th place (U2024)
posted 58 seconds ago
Robb

Sorry but we are struggling in 7th and our captain announces he is leaving in February?

I realise SAF sometimes let older players move on but no way in hell would he have mentioned that our captain is moving on in the February of a struggling season

For me, something just isn't right and I'm not necessarily saying it's the manager either
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I don't think us struggling matters. I remember Scholes announcing his retirement fairly early on in a season and last year Gotze announced he'd be joining Bayern fairly early on too.

It's just how some players do things. He probably thinks he's been at the club long enough to announce it and have people say their farewells.

I agree something is up at the club but I just think it's the natural occurence after a seismic shift like SAF leaving. he had a lot of players loyal to him and they are probably all off this summer and fair enough. Moyes needs Moyes players and that will take a good few seasons to bring about the type of loyalty to him rather than an older regime that some players are used to.

I don't think us struggling matters. I remember Scholes announcing his retirement fairly early on in a season
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Vidic isn't retiring, he's leaving to play for another club at 32

I'll leave this now

I'm just not convinced about this one

"The player's contract is expiring but Napoli haven't contacted me," Martino told Radio CRC.

"Man United have offered him a renewal and a number of other clubs have approached him. Offers from Italy? The player wants to finish the season at Manchester United and then we'll see."

Thanks for the source Elvis, it's there black and white.

comment by UnitedRedMacca - Mata + Rooney + Januzaj + RVP = 4th place (U2024)
posted 30 seconds ago
I don't think us struggling matters. I remember Scholes announcing his retirement fairly early on in a season
--------------------------------
Vidic isn't retiring, he's leaving to play for another club at 32

I'll leave this now

I'm just not convinced about this one
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I actually prefer it this way. At least we don't have the wil he/wont heave leave circus for the rest of the season like we did with Becks. Everyone knows where they stand and we can just get one with it. I don't expect anything less than 100% from Vida for the rest of the season, so I can't see a problem with it at all.

Elvis

If this was Rooney, this place would be littered with articles

I can't help feeling that, because fans see him as past his best, there's no issue here.

Vidic wants to leave us for some reason. I'd like to know what that reason is.

I'm not buying this 'new challenge' nonsense. What bigger challenge is there than captaining our side back to the top?

I'm not buying this 'new challenge' nonsense. What bigger challenge is there than captaining our side back to the top?
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I remember a couple of seasons back reading that Vidic's wife was very keen for her and him to move to sunnier climes and get out of Manchester.

I assume that because his contract has ended he's decided to do something to please his wife (no pun intended) and go somewhere a bit different.

I also remember that as Masch said that's why he wanted to leave and Vidic just came out and told his wife to shut it.

comment by UnitedRedMacca - Mata + Rooney + Januzaj + RVP = 4th place (U2024)
posted 1 hour, 22 minutes ago

Vidic wants to leave us for some reason. I'd like to know what that reason is.
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It is likely down to a few reasons rather than just one. There are many possibilities:

1. The contract on offer was based around appearances and he isn't happy with that.
2. He was told that he would no longer be considered first choice.
3. His wife wants to go somewhere sunny.
4. It is his last chance to get a nice big signing on fee.
5. He'd like to win the title in another big league.
6. He thinks a move to a country with a warmer climate and a less demanding league will prolong his career.

Or, how about this one for a conspiracy? He has been told than from next season Rooney will be the new club captain and isn't happy. But I suspect that it is a combination of all/most of my first 6 points.

He has served us well, is at the end of his contract and never caused us any problems with his attitude - which is a far cry form Rooney. If he and/or the club have decided it is time to part company then I cant see any reason for us to be too upset. We have some promising CBs waiting to step into the gap he will leave, so I think most of us are ok with it. I still suspect that we will be in for another experienced CB in the summer though.

Fair enough Elvis

I still don't get the timing of it considering where we are currently but hey ho.

Like I said, possibly just to clarify everything so that we don't have the circus of will he/wont he leave.

What a Legend, good luck Vida