It’s the time of the year to say goodbye, and today’s Old Trafford finale for Nemanja Vidic could be a tricky one for the rocksteady Manchester United captain.
Vidic is headed to Inter Milan this summer after an accolade-hoarding -- at least until this season -- career at Old Trafford.
The 32-year-old Serbian defender is preparing himself to focus on the match against Hull City, which could become difficult as Manchester salutes him (Watch live at 2:45pm ET on NBCSN and online via NBC Sports Live Extra).
From United’s match program:“You never know what is going to happen with your emotions,” Vidic said. “You can try to predict but I wasn’t emotional before and I haven’t cried yet! We will see what happens after the last game. It is going to be sad.”
“Thank you for all the support you have given me over the years. I know I will be supporting the club in the future. Hopefully we can win as many trophies as we did in my eight years over the next eight years.”
Red Devils back Patrice Evra is “really sad” to see Vidic go, and told some interesting stories regarding the arrival of the two backs to Manchester. Both arrived in England in 2006, Evra from AS Monaco and Vidic from Spartak Moscow. From ManUtd.com:
The pair endured a tough start to life in England, with Evra recalling one particularly difficult performance. However, they soon adapted and helped to form what was one of Europe’s finest defences for many years, picking up plenty of silverware in the process.
“When you speak about Vida, it’s like you’re speaking about myself,” the full-back continued. “We joined the club together. I remember the first game was so hard. In one match, we played in the reserves together. We were so poor!
“Rene Meulensteen was the [reserve team] manager and he took us both off! We were talking in the dressing room and saying: ‘Oh my, why have we come to Manchester United? We should go back to our old clubs!’
While it will be “goodbye” for several United players, Vidic leaving is far more ceremonious and likely to be actually met with sadness from the Old Trafford crowd (which has soured on other departers).
Could it be more emotional than Robert Lewandowski’s send-off from Borussia Dortmund fans?