Manchester United are ready to offer Nemanja Vidic a new £90,000-a-week deal in an attempt to keep him out of the clutches of Real Madrid.
Vidic is unhappy that his current £70,000-a-week contract is significantly less than the £110,000 paid to his central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand, and is demanding a deal closer to the club’s top earners.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson added to the uncertainty over Vidic’s future following United’s win over Philadelphia Union on Thursday when he was asked to clarify the player’s situation.
‘I can’t clarify it at all,’ said Ferguson. But when pressed if he thought the 28-year-old would still be at Old Trafford next season, the United boss said: ‘Yes, I believe so.’
Before the Glazer takeover, United would usually wait until a player had two years left on his deal before opening talks over a new one. But, with the exception of Wayne Rooney, that has been reduced to 12 months.
United believe the mixed messages from the Vidic camp through his agent Paolo Fabbri are merely an attempt to force their hand, but are ready to relent because they are desperate to hold on to the player. They hope their offer will persuade him to stay for another year at least.
With doubts persisting over Ferdinand’s fitness, and Jonny Evans and new boy Chris Smalling deemed too inexperienced to become regular starters just yet, Ferguson knows he cannot afford to lose Vidic.
The player’s wife Ana is known to be unhappy with life in England and pushing for a move to a warmer climate, but United want to buy themselves more time.
No comments:
Post a Comment