MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager David Moyes has revealed that the departure of captain Nemanja Vidic at the end of the season was a mutual decision.
The Serbian defender will be out of contract at the end of June and will walk away from the club after eight years at Old Trafford.
Vidic, who made his United debut shortly after he joined from Spartak Moscow in 2006, has already confirmed he will not move to another Premier League club.
And Moyes admitted that the decision to allow the 32-year-old to leave the club was in the interest of both parties.
“It was something that we all mutually agreed together,” Moyes said. “Nemanja and I think it was the right decision for club and player.
“He has been a brilliant servant for Manchester United and he is captain, it will remain that way until the end of the season and he has been a great player for us and we will continue using him.
“This is a decision which has been mutually decided together. He felt it was the right time for him so we will get on with it and we will move on.”
Vidic skippered United to their 20th top-flight title last season – his fifth and the last under former manager Alex Ferguson.
He also helped United clinch the Champions League in 2008, secured by a penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea in Moscow, as well as three League Cups.
And Moyes also admitted that he does not have any concerns about playing Vidic in United’s remaining games this season even though he will leave at the end of the campaign.
“Will there be any trust issues in the remaining games with Nemanja? Not with somebody like him, with the type of man he is and the leader he is,” Moyes explained.
“He has been a great leader for the club, he has served the club brilliantly well and I would expect that to continue right until the end of the season.”
Moyes acknowledged that United’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title are heavily dependent on their rivals dropping points.
The Red Devils are 15 points behind leaders Arsenal ahead of Sunday’s clash with Fulham at Old Trafford. (Agencies)