Liverpool had shown interest in Nemanja Vidic before moving to Manchester United, but Sir Alex Ferguson acted rapidly to defeat their rivals in his signature
Manchester United Icon Nemanja Vidic has announced that he was considering signing for arch rivals Liverpool before his move to Old Trafford. Vidic was impressed by Spartak Moscow and was quickly picked up by United in December 2005 for £ 7 million, officially member of the Red Devils a month later.
The center-back, which recently expressed its ambition to manage United One Day, was associated two years earlier with a move to Old Trafford. Vidic soon showed why Sir Alex Ferguson had been a long-term admirer and settled as one of the best defenders of the Premier League era.
During the age of eight and half a year, Vidic won 10 major awards at United, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008. However, Vidic had also attracted the attention of Liverpool and another Premier League club before Ferguson entered his services.
“Yes, we spoke [with Liverpool boss Rafa Benítez] Maybe once or twice, but nothing happened for two or three weeks, “Vidic revealed on the overlap, brought by Sky Bet.” David O'Leary also wanted to take me to Aston Villa, but they didn't have the money. I ate with David O'Leary – he came to Moscow. “
However, Vidic's decision was simple as soon as the United Baas came into contact. 'Fergie just called me once and asked if I wanted to play for [Manchester] United, I said yes and that happened in four days, “he remembered.
Vidic appeared 15 performances in the second half of the 2005/06 season, but it was the subsequent campaign where he and Rio Ferdinand began to forge their iconic partnership, which led unit to their first league title in four years. After he missed Vidic, Liverpool signed defenders Jan Kromkamp and Daniel Agger in the January window, while Villa struggled to a 16th place.
“I was happy to go to Aston Villa, but they had no money at the time – that's what David O'Leary told me,” Vidic explained. “Liverpool waited too long, and Sir Alex Ferguson came in quickly and did the deal in four days.”
Vidic admitted that the speed of his move to Old Trafford meant that he forgot to mention his wage requirements, which initially led him to make a wage reduction for his large money movement to the Premier League. 'When I met him [Sir Alex Ferguson] Was when I signed the contract with him and David Gill, “Vidic admitted.” The mistake I made at the time was that I said I wanted to play for United, but I didn't say how much money!
“For me then it was not about the money – I wanted to test myself. If I wanted more money, it would have been better for me to stay in Moscow.
“I had double money in Moscow in Manchester when I came. Of course, Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill did not tell me and that contract is just the beginning, and if I played 50 games it doesn't matter if it changes the contract for 5 or 10 minutes. After 20-25 games, I signed a new contract.”
Ferguson improved the defense of United through the arrival of Vidic and marked another crucial piece in his plan to overthrow the dominant Chelsea side of Jose Mourinho. With Edwin van der Sar and Park Ji-Sung months earlier and quickly accompanied by Patrice Evra, Vidic would form the backbone of the success of United.
After he was part of a successful united side, Vidic recently focused on the failures of the club in the Post-Ferguson era. The 43-year-old blamed the enormous wages that were paid to players and the lack of football expertise within the hierarchy of the club during the time of Ed Woodward as Chief Executive.
Vidic received the bracelet in 2010 and lifted two league titles as a captain. When signing Vidic, Ferguson stated: “Good defenders win your things. This boy is really natural and athletic. You need good defenders and that is exactly what this boy is.”