Reds pair battle for Vidic

[red devils]

Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly ready to battle it out for the signature of Spartak Moscow defender Nemanja Vidic.

Russian club's chief executive Sergei Shavlo is demanding at least 13m euros (£8.79m) for the Serbia and Montenegro international and believes United are prepared to stump up the cash, with European champions Liverpool also interested.

"Vidic is a player in our team and we wouldn't like to let him go," Shavlo told 'Football, Hockey' magazine. "We'll try to do our best to keep him at the club.

"But if any club can offer us the proper price which we can use for signing another player of the same level we can accept that.

"This amount is equal to 13-15m euros. I think that we'll get similar offers.

"According to our information, Manchester United are ready to make an offer and probably Liverpool. It's good that the player has progressed so much during the last season."

[Zeman]

I've read somewhere he has already signed for Fiorentina

[Zeman]

I've read somewhere he has already signed for Fiorentina

[esp]

Stereo? :ninja

We do need defenders, the spoon is untrust worthy.

[Sparky]

"Silvestre guarentee the other team at least one chance a game"

I think that was the comment made by the commentator during the West Ham game.

Even though i would like to see another central defender signed, it has to be once the midfield has been sorted.

[Fishman9]

"Silvestre guarentee the other team at least one chance a game"

I think that was the comment made by the commentator during the West Ham game.

Even though i would like to see another central defender signed, it has to be once the midfield has been sorted.

agreed

[Red Opal]

Chelsea will probably buy him for £70M. He is coming from Moscow after all.

[RvN#10]

United move for Spartak defender

Daniel Taylor and Jon Brodkin
Friday December 16, 2005
The Guardian

Manchester United have opened formal talks with Spartak Moscow for their Serbia & Montenegro international defender Nemanja Vidic with a view to bringing him to Old Trafford either in the next month's transfer window or at the end of the season.
The approach was confirmed last night by the Spartak president Sergey Sharlo, who said that he had quoted a fee of around £11m. United value him at much less and a deal could hinge on whether the two clubs can reach a compromise.

United also wanted to keep the transfer talks a secret rather than alerting Chelsea, particularly Roman Abramovich. There is a suspicion at Old Trafford that Chelsea might try to scupper the move, using Abramovich's Russian contacts and knowing they can outbid United.
Nevertheless, the fact United are negotiating with a highly rated international will encourage their fans. There had been no guarantees that the Glazer family would make money available for transfers in the wake of an early Champions League exit but it has become clear funding is available if Ferguson needs it.

At 24, Vidic is regarded as one of the sturdiest defenders in the Russian league and is part of a "fabulous four" Serbian defence that conceded only one goal throughout the 2006 World Cup qualifiers. Fiorentina have also been monitoring his position.

[manutdgatorev]

Our MF needs the most work...Vidic is good and I'd welcome his arrival, but for feck's sake we have NO cover there! All we have is Smith, Scholes, and Fletcher...none of whom have excelled in the position this year. Richie Jones is a promising reserve, but he's 18 and way too inexperienced to be thrown in just yet. Bringing back Davey Jones is another option, but even then, he's very inexperienced and we need at least ONE experienced DCM if we want to challenge. I said it at the start of the year: we had a good chance for some trophies this year BUT the lack of a true DCM could come back to haunt us and it has. I also feel we have plenty of talented, young defenders who've shown some promise in defense: Spector, Bardsley, Pique, McShane, and Eckersely have all been given looks and all have shown excellent potential. Signing a 24 year old experienced international hurts their chances, much as it would help this season. Though Vidic is a good option for a "panic buy" its still a panic buy and United should be thinking long term, not short term. Heinze will be back next season, as will Rio, Gazza, and Brown...where does Vidic fit in there? Hopefully one or both of O'Shea and Silvestre will be sold and he can be a skilled backup, but I still think the focus should be on the MF.

[Legendinho]

If we sign Vidic, he will play alongside Rio

[red devils]

But his agent has denied that man utd are interested in him

[cppc401]

15 mil euro wasted on another unknown!! :clap

[SMG316]

Our MF needs the most work...Vidic is good and I'd welcome his arrival, but for feck's sake we have NO cover there! All we have is Smith, Scholes, and Fletcher...none of whom have excelled in the position this year. Richie Jones is a promising reserve, but he's 18 and way too inexperienced to be thrown in just yet. Bringing back Davey Jones is another option, but even then, he's very inexperienced and we need at least ONE experienced DCM if we want to challenge. I said it at the start of the year: we had a good chance for some trophies this year BUT the lack of a true DCM could come back to haunt us and it has. I also feel we have plenty of talented, young defenders who've shown some promise in defense: Spector, Bardsley, Pique, McShane, and Eckersely have all been given looks and all have shown excellent potential. Signing a 24 year old experienced international hurts their chances, much as it would help this season. Though Vidic is a good option for a "panic buy" its still a panic buy and United should be thinking long term, not short term. Heinze will be back next season, as will Rio, Gazza, and Brown...where does Vidic fit in there? Hopefully one or both of O'Shea and Silvestre will be sold and he can be a skilled backup, but I still think the focus should be on the MF.

haha you clearly forgot your noted comment that "return key creates a new line" :laugh

[Sparky]

Even though its all paper talk, we need midfielders...Yet again we being linked with players in the wrong position.

Midfield first, then defence.