You have to start to question what is going on at Manchester United after captain Nemanja Vidic announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
“It’s the last year of my contract and I have had eight wonderful years here. My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career,” Vidic told United’s website.
“I never could have imagined winning 15 trophies and I will certainly never forget that fantastic night in Moscow (when United won the UEFA Champions League), memories that will live with me and the fans forever.
“However, I have decided that I will move on at the end of this season. I want to challenge myself again and try to make the best of myself in the coming years.
“I’m not considering staying in England as the only club I ever wanted to play for here is Manchester United and I was lucky enough to be part of this club for so many years. I’ve got a few options to move on and I will choose the right one for me and for my family.
“I am now going to focus all my efforts on playing for Manchester United and do the best I can for the team until the end of the season. I hope this stops any further speculation about my future.”
Vidic’s eight years at United has been littered with trophies, notably five Premier League titles, three League Cups and three Champions League finals including winning it in 2007-08.
I understand that David Moyes wants to put his own stamp on the club, but it has to send up warning flags to supporters when neither the captain or vice-captian (Patrice Evra) where offered new contracts and are leaving at the end of the season.
This is a club that has always prided itself on the United way, how the veteran players set the standards and expectations for the rest of the squad. But with the departure of Vidic, Evra and Ferdinard, plus the expected retirement of Ryan Giggs, who will be the veteran forces in the United dressing room?