Vidic agrees new United deal

Vidic: New United deal

Nemanja Vidic has ended speculation over his future at Manchester United by agreeing a new long-term deal with the club.

Vidic had been linked with a move to several of Europe's top sides over the summer but United have shaken hands on terms with the Serbian defender to end any prospect of a move.

Real Madrid were widely expected to make a bid for the stopper's services, however chief executive David Gill has confirmed a "long-term" contract has been agreed by both parties.

Vidic is currently resting following his participation in the World Cup finals in South Africa but he will link-up with his team-mates next week as a Red Devils man for the foreseeable future.

The news will boost manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who had remained confident of keeping hold of his stalwart defender.

Pleased

Gill told MUTV: "I am very pleased to confirm that we agreed terms with Nemanja three or four weeks ago on a new long-term deal with the club."

Gill revealed that discussions over the new terms began at the end of last season, which saw United relinquish their grip on the Premier League title.

The length of the deal remains unclear but the Old Trafford supremo said Vidic would sign the contract when he returns from holiday.

Gill continued: "We sat down with Nemanja and his advisor at the end of last season and started discussions. They broke up when Nemanja went away to the World Cup, but resumed when Serbia were knocked out.

"It's yet to be signed - the paperwork is now being sorted by our lawyers and being checked by Nemanja's advisors. He's still away on holiday but the plan is that when he gets back the papers will be signed.

Shaken hands

"We've shaken hands on it and we're confident it will all be signed and sealed in early August. It's great news for Manchester United and great news for Nemanja and the fans."

Gill said he never believed speculation suggesting Vidic would exit the club over the summer.

The centre-back had reportedly been a target of a number of sides from the continent and Jose Mourinho - now in charge of Real Madrid - was a reported admirer of the former Spartak Moscow man.

But Gill insisted any talk of a move was nonsense. He added: "There was a lot of speculation about Nemanja's future, but in my view it's been the media drumming some old stories.

"They certainly didn't come out of the Manchester United camp and I'm confident they didn't come out of Nemanja's camp."