Man Utd ‘cash out’ Vidic to Barca in Stam move

Remember the Jaap Stam saga. It did not end well for Stam, even though he was rated as one of the world’s top defenders at the time.

In case we need reminding, the Dutch footballer player was twice voted best defender in the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 Champions League.

He was at the heart of a dominant United team.

Yet, when Sir Alex Ferguson felt his time was up, he was sent on his way.

Let us recall Fergie’s quote at the time as well.

"At the time he had just come back from an achilles injury and we thought he had just lost a little bit.

We got the offer from Lazio, £16.5m for a centre-back who was 29. It was an offer I couldn't refuse.”

Nemanja Vidic has now stated that he will not leave Manchester United for Juventus or Barcelona in January.

Vidic, United's captain, missed the last five months of last season through injury and is now sidelined for eight weeks following a knee operation.

His Italian agent Silvano Martina insists the defender is not heading for the exit when the transfer window re-opens for business in January.

Itasportpress.it quoted the agent as saying, "Vidic is already part of a top club and there are no negotiations with Juventus or Barcelona.”

The truth is Fergie has already begun preparing for life after Vidic at the back. Johny Evans is coming along nicely and then there are the youth options Scott Wootton and Michael Keane.

Chris Smalling is on his way back as well.

Fergie and United may not get a better offer for Vidic, especially given his current injury problems.

Vidic is also not getting any younger and seems to have lost that commanding presence in the box he once had.

It may just be the right time to sell of the right offer came along.

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