The biggest news coming out of the club today is that the team captain Nemanja Vidic will leave the club in the summer having come to a mutual agreement with the club. Whereas we all knew that the next 6 months will see a lot of the older players and fringe players leave, the statement confirming Vidic's departure brings to mind the realisation of the squad overhaul to come.
The Serbian has been a tremendous servant to the club in his 8 year stay and played his part in a 15 trophy haul during his stay with us. He peaked in 2008, just in time to mould a rock solid defensive partnership with Rio in front of Edwin van der Sar. That wall was responsible for the victory over Barcelona in the 2008 European Cup semifinal. Vidic grew into one of the best raw defenders of the game during his time at United and will go down as one of the greatest defenders the club has ever had alongside the likes of Stam, Pallister and Bruce. We wish him all the best ahead.
On to the actual football: This season that just won't end already has thrown up another fixture for us this weekend despite our best efforts to get eliminated from every competition. Fulham visit Old Trafford on Sunday evening looking to do what so many sides have already done this season, beat United on their own turf.
United have struggled to beat half decent opposition this season but Fulham are not even half decent at all on current form. Quite how we lose this one will baffle even Fulham themselves. With our champions league rivals almost certain to drop points this weekend, you do not have to wait till May to mourn United's failure to make 4th if they don't bag all three points.
At the moment it's asking too much of United to put on a performance. So the result will do from now on. The way I see it, 4th place is currently only attainable if we win all the remaining games. Given that that is unlikely in this season of all seasons, my hopes are no higher than I will get this weekend. There's every chance we could win on Sunday but lose at the Emirates in midweek, after which our weekend result will not matter.
Ultimately, it all starts with just the one step, so let's get Fulham out of the way then worry about what lies ahead.
Labels: NEMANJA VIDIC, PREVIEWS