[TeKnIcIaN]

Vidic has signed on to stay at United until at least 2012. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's happy about that.

New deal ties Vidic to Man Utd until 2012

Nemanja Vidic has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Manchester United until 2012, it was announced today.

The Serbia defender, who signed on Christmas Day 2005 from Spartak Moscow in a £7million deal, had a difficult start to his Old Trafford career but has gone on to be one of the most influential players at the club.

A major factor in last season's title success, Vidic has the happy knack of finding the net for his club, scoring the winner at Everton earlier this season, one of five goals in his 69 appearances.

The 26-year-old is so highly rated by Sir Alex Ferguson, he even assumed the captain's armband following the substitution of Edwin van der Sar during last night's 4-0 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev.

And while Spanish youngster Gerard Pique is developing into a first-team prospect for the future, Ferguson has been quick to extend Vidic's stay at the club, which was due to end in 2010.

'Nemanja has made a terrific impact at the club and has forged a partnership with Rio Ferdinand that was a major part in us winning the title last year,' said Ferguson.
'He is an extremely popular member of the squad, both with staff and fans alike.

'It's great news that he wants to be part of this exciting side for years to come.'

Now fully recovered from the knee injury that forced him to miss the World Cup last year, Vidic had no hesitation in signing the new deal.

'Playing in this team is a great privilege,' he said. 'This is such a great club and I am delighted to be able to extend my stay here. 'The fans and everyone at the club have been very special to me. I hope I can do my bit to bring the club even more trophies in the years ahead.'
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[GocartMozart]

Rio is 28. Vidic is 26 and Pique is backup. Not bad at all. Defensively, we're set for another five years. Now we just need to start looking for an adequate replacement at right back. Simpson either has to step up, or we need to look to the market.

[moley]

Glad to see he's signed a new contract, I'm a bit biased but I think Rio and Vidic are the best CB pair in the prem :P

[dada]

I'd agree they are the best pair in England, who knows, probably across all of Europe.

[dimz]

Omg the superstar is here to stay! Lovely news, i like this guy so much. Reminds me of a slightly smaller Jaap Stam.

[JimmyO]

Fantastic news, together with Rio I think United have the best pair in central defence.

[Dirtycheat]

this is definately great news. he had a shakey start to his united career but he stayed focused and now i really dont even want to imagine united going into a big game without vida in defence for us.

[GocartMozart]

from memory, his first game was against Shiteh and his third was against Liverpool. I can't expect anyone from far and away to try and come to manchester to play those teams. That's just an absurdly high expectation and one I don't take against him. As much as I heard crap against him and Evra that Spring, knowing his background (BBBs from Serbia) and his record in international play easily bought him some time.

[Dirtycheat]

i never said i expected him to play well as soon as he came united

obviously it takes time to settle into a club like united and forming a central defensive partnership isnt easy especially when he joined us midway through the season.

edit: here is a little article about vidic's united career and a few interesting quotes. link

"The first couple of months after I joined, I wasn't me. I could not pass the ball properly, or control a simple ball. My confidence was gone and I started to think maybe England wasn't for me. But after a couple of months, I learnt how to play. Now you see the real Nemanja Vidic."

thats what im talking about, his start was very shakey and no one could doubt that. he had a few good moments that showed promise, but he didnt seem comfortable. but to his credit, the following season he was a totally different player.

[Ivan_11]

Originally Posted by GocartMozart

As much as I heard crap against him and Evra that Spring, knowing his background (BBBs from Serbia) and his record in international play easily bought him some time.

Well, actualy Bad Blue Boys are not from Serbia, but from Croatia. You must have ment Delije Sever, who are fans of Red Star in wich Nemanja played. This is great news, his and Rio`s partnership is great, I hope it continues, and it will get only better. Vidic has a big spine problem, wich got worse last season...