Former Man United Defender Nemanja Vidic Confesses to Almost Signing with Rivals before Joining Old Trafford

Nemanja Vidic disclosed how his prospective transfer to Anfield was thwarted with the assistance of former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, before he made an impressive move to Manchester United. 

Sir Alex Ferguson, the iconic former United manager, brought Vidic to Old Trafford from Spartak Moscow in 2006 for a fee of £7m, praising him as being "inherently athletic and skilled" at the time.

During his time at United, Vidic excelled and formed a strong partnership with Rio Ferdinand in the Red Devils' defense under Ferguson. 

As a former defender and later club captain, the 41-year-old lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League, and three League Cups.

In 2014, Vidic departed from United and had a brief stint playing for Inter Milan before retiring from his illustrious career in 2016.

 Recently, the former Serbian international appeared on his ex-teammate Ferdinand's show, Vibe with Five, reuniting the two United legends.

 During the show, Vidic revealed that Benitez had contacted him first while he played for Spartak and encouraged him to move to England.

However, the United legend revealed that the 63-year-old Spaniard didn’t call him back for “two or three weeks,” which opened the door for Ferguson to make a swoop.

“The first moment I was in contact with the club [United] was December 2005. But at the time Liverpool was also involved,” Vidic said.

“I spoke with Rafa Benitez and he was the one who was first in touch with me when I was at Spartak Moscow.

“My English was not good, my wife Ana was actually talking to him because my English was not great.

“He was asking me if I want to come to England and certain things, everything was great.

“And then he didn’t call me back for two or three weeks. Fergie obviously got in touch.

“He called and said, ‘I’ve been looking at you for the last six months to a year, I like the way you play. I think you’ll be good for the club. Do you want to join?’

“I said of course, he said, ‘Everything will be settled’ and then in one week I was in Manchester.”