• Premier League

Vidic confirms Manchester United exit

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has confirmed that this season will be his last at Old Trafford.

Vidic, 32, is in the final six months of his current United deal and has decided to pursue a new challenge elsewhere, ending months of speculation about his future.

The former Serbia international revealed the news through a statement on Manchester United's official website and insisted that he will not represent another Premier League team, paving the way for a move overseas.

Vidic said: "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.

Unfinished business

Vidic's final silverware? © Getty Images

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"I never could have imagined winning 15 trophies and I will certainly never forget that fantastic night in Moscow, 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."

The statement, issued by United, contained no comments from manager David Moyes, who is facing a tough task rebuilding a team that is currently seventh in a league it won by 11 points last May under Alex Ferguson.

Vidic arrived at United from Spartak Moscow in 2006 and has been a mainstay in the club's defence ever since, his centre-back partnership with Rio Ferdinand in particular likely to go down as one of the finest in the Red Devils' history.

The former Red Star Belgrade captain has been heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan and is likely to be one of several players heading out the Old Trafford exit door this summer.

Patrice Evra, who joined United alongside Vidic in the 2006 January transfer window, is among those also tipped to leave.

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