Vidic could leave Old Trafford to make room for Garay.
Long-term Manchester United defender and club captain Nemanja Vidic has emerged as a surprise transfer target for AC Milan with Benfica’s Ezequiel Garay expected to arrive at Old Trafford, according to the Express.
Vidic has just finished his seventh season with the Red Devils since his £9.2m transfer from Spartak Moscow in 2006.
Since that move the Serbian has become regarded as one of the finest defenders in the Premier League, although a series of injuries over the past three years have limited the 31-year-old’s playing opportunities.
During United’s successful 2012/13 league campaign Vidic managed to play just 19 times – exactly half of the side’s total Premier League matches – and featured just four more times in other competitions.
Age is not on the Serb’s side either and alongside centre-back partner Rio Ferdinand is one half of a defensive duo coming towards the twilight stages of their careers.
This is coupled with the arrival of what is likely to be at least one new player in that position in the shape of former Real Madrid starlet Garay.
The Argentina international is expected to make a £17m switch to Old Trafford, meaning that along with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans would make up a quartet of young defenders.
Therefore it is unlikely there will be room for both Ferdinand and Vidic at the club and Milan are prepared to make United’s choice a lot easier for them by making an offer for the Serb.
The San Siro outfit see the centre-back as the perfect partner for Philippe Mexes at a club were aging defenders is something of an unwritten tradition – Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta anyone?
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