My wife
doesn’t like Manchester. I’ve had offers from AC, Barca, and
Madrid, but I’m staying
But, as most men can testify, the missus can be the
toughest opponent of all.
The Serbian star has revealed how he received offers
from AC Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona this summer and the wife
wanted him to take one up as she was unhappy with her life in
Manchester.
Vidic, however, put his foot down.
He said: “My wife Ana is unhappy with our lifestyle in
Manchester but I am not going to change my mind as I am happy with
the team and Manchester and the club’s ambitions for next
season.”
Having moved to United from Spartak Moscow it makes you
wonder quite what life was like in the Russian capital where a
WAGs’ hairdo can crack from frostbite in the winter.
But, hey, you just can’t please some people.
Vidic has certainly pleased United fans and his manager
since arriving at Old Trafford.
After losing both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez
there was no way manager Alex Ferguson wanted to see the foundation
of the team’s success completely disappear.
That is why he turned down the £26.5million offer from
Barcelona and gave Vidic a new three-year contract and pay rise of
£20,000 a week to £70,000.
Vidic, now Serbia’s highest-earning player, revealed:
“I got offers from Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid and I played a
very honest game — I disclosed all these offers to my boss Sir
Alex.
“He reacted quickly. I was told he was raising my pay
to bring it to the level where my reputation is in the Premier
League and Europe.
“After Milan and Real Madrid made their offers,
Barcelona came in — they wanted to pay 30m for my services but
after Sir Alex’s move, I am definitely staying in Manchester until
my contract expires in 2012.
“I don’t care that I will still not be paid as much as
my good friends Rio Ferdinand or Wayne Rooney but I guess I will be
at the same level as Berbatov and Carrick.”
He probably needs to take a closer look at Berbatov’s
contract as he is still a good £20,000 a week ahead on £90,000 —
but let’s not split hairs.
Vidic had an uncertain start to his United career but
has been proving his worth each season since he joined the club in
January 2006.
He said: “People often forget that when you move from
one country to another and from one league to another, you have to
change your playing style.
“My style of play is now completely adjusted to the
Premier League.”
He has made more than 150 appearances for the club but
last season was undoubtedly his best.
Vidic was the only constant in the back four as United
established a top-flight record of 14 consecutive clean sheets.
The 27-year-old said: “It’s always nice to do things
like this and set some new records but it’s a tribute for the whole
team.
“It’s a great team to play in and it makes it easier
for us as the defenders to do our job.”
Vidic has also proved to be a potent force from
set-plays at the other end of the field, notching up 12 goals for
the club.
All in all not a player Fergie wanted to let go and one
who has won him rave reviews.
Vidic said: “You play football to do the best you can
and you try to improve yourself in every game, every training
session.
“So if people say nice things about your game, then you
have to feel happy.
“If you’re doing well and the team is flying high, then
that’s what you aim for.”
The understanding between keeper Edwin van der Sar and
Vidic and the rest of the back four helped United to a trophy
treble last season, picking up the Club World Cup, Carling Cup and
Premier League.
Van der Sar said: “Nemanja was fantastic last year and
this year even more so.
“It’s a great understanding we have — and that goes for
all the defenders.
“You’re sure that they’ll protect you but also know
that if they’re in trouble they can give the ball to me and I can
do something with it.
“It helps that we have been playing together for three
or four years now.”
The only time that their understanding collapsed was in
the 4-1 home Premier League defeat to Liverpool and in the 2-0
Champions League final loss to Barcelona.
Those two games were undoubtedly Vidic’s worst — but
they are engulfed by many more when he has proved just why the
world’s top clubs want his services.
In an otherwise disappointing summer so far, the Serb’s
commitment to the club is good news for United fans.
As for Vidic’s wife Ana, an extra £20,000 a week will
surely open many more doors at the Trafford Centre.
thesun.co.uk
