Vidic “game” keeps better half at bay

posted on 02/07/09

Nemanja Vidic does not lose many battles on the pitch – and it would appear he has the upper hand behind closed doors.

His wife, Ana, has failed to take to the inclement Manchester weather and English way of life, so much so that Vidic felt it necessary to reveal to manager Sir Alex Ferguson that he had received offers from Italian football giants AC Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Not too many players call Ferguson’s bluff but it appeared to do the trick because, by playing “a very honest game”, the 27-year-old won himself a pay rise.

Ferguson has already lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez this summer – both by the players’ choice – so to have lost Serbian international Vidic as well could have been construed as waving a white flag to title rivals Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Vidic has established himself as a world class no-nonsense, ball-winning central defender – the perfect foil for partner Rio Ferdinand – and the interest from some of Europe’s leading clubs comes as no surprise.

Ferguson can at least sleep easy in the knowledge that Vidic is now expected to see out his contract which runs until 2012 – even if it means getting the cold shoulder from ‘er indoors.

“My wife Ana is unhappy with our lifestyle in Manchester but I am not going to change my mind as I am happy with the team and Manchester and the club’s ambition for next season,” Vidic told The Sun.

“I got offers from Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid and I played a very honest game – I disclosed all these offers to my boss Sir Alex.

“He reacted quickly. I was told he was raising my pay to bring it to the level where my reputation is in the Premier League and Europe.

“After Milan and Real Madrid made their offers Barcelona came in – they wanted to pay £30million for my services but after Sir Alex’s move, I am definitely staying in Manchester until my contract expires in 2012.

“I don’t care that I will still not be paid as much as my good friends Rio Ferdinand or Wayne Rooney but I guess I will be at the same level as [Dimitar] Berbatov or [Michael] Carrick.”

Nick Walsh writes features and betting previews for Betfair.