Vidic denies United rift

MANCHESTER United defender Nemanja Vidic claims he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford.

He has been angered by rumours claiming his relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson has broken down.

Vidic has been struggling with a leg injury and sat out the 3–2 Champions League first leg victory against AC Milan in the San Siro on Tuesday.

In an interview with Serbian newspaper Vecernje Novosti, he said: “I have never had a conflict of any kind with Sir Alex Ferguson and speculation that I want to leave United is completely untrue.

“I have a contract until the summer of 2012 and intend to see it through to the very last day.

“United have made me the player I am today and there is no substance whatsoever in rumours that I have been looking for a move away to either Real Madrid or AC Milan.”

Vidic has yet to play in 2010 and his continued absence has even given rise to speculation the Serbia international’s career could be over.


CITY are resigned to losing Patrick Vieira for three key games after he decided to accept a Football Association charge of violent conduct.

The City midfielder was charged on Wednesday after appearing to kick Glenn Whelan between the legs during Tuesday’s 1–1 Barclays Premier League draw with Stoke.

The FA will decide on Vieira’s punishment today and it would be a major surprise if it was anything other than a three–game ban.

That would rule him out of Premier League matches against Liverpool (on Sunday) and Chelsea plus the FA Cup fifth–round replay at Stoke.