Blow for Moyes as captain Vidic calls it quits at United after refusing to discuss new deal at Old Trafford

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has announced he will leave the club at the end of this season after refusing to hold talks over a new deal.
David Moyes was keen to keep his club captain at Old Trafford but Vidic, who is out of contract this summer, has decided to move on after eight years in Manchester.
The Serbian won 15 trophies after arriving from Russian club Spartak Moscow for £7million in January 2006, going on to become skipper under former manage
r Sir Alex Ferguson.
In a statement, Vidic said: 'It’s the last year of my contract and I have had eight wonderful years here.

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Moving on: United defender Vidic (left) has announced his decision to leave at the end of this season

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Losing out: United manager David Moyes (left) will be planning for life without Vidic next season

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Waving goodbye: Vidic gestures on his way out of United's Carrington training ground on Thursday

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New boy: Vidic was signed by former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson from Spartak Moscow in January 2006

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Big hit: Vidic has made almost 400 appearances for the Red Devils since joining for £7million

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All smiles: Vidic lifts the 2010-11 Premier League trophy, United's record-breaking 19th league title

VIDIC'S HONOURS AT UNITED

TEAM
Premier League: 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2012/13
UEFA Champions League: 2007/08
League Cup: 2005/06, 2008/09, 2009/10
Community Shield: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013
FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
INDIVIDUAL
PFA Team of the Year: 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09
Barclays Premier League Player of the Year: 2008/09, 2010/11

'My time at this great club will always rank as the best years of my career.  I never could have imagined winning 15 trophies and I will certainly never forget that fantastic night in Moscow, memories that will live with me and the fans forever. 
'However, I have decided that I will move on at the end of this season. I want to challenge myself again and try to make the best of myself in the coming years.
'I’m not considering staying in England as the only club I ever wanted to play for here is Manchester United and I was lucky enough to be part of this Club for so many years.
I’ve got a few options to move on and I will choose the right one for me and for my family. 
'I am now going to focus all my efforts on playing for Manchester United and do the best I can for the team until the end of the season.
I hope this stops any further speculation about my future.'
Vidic could be followed out of the club by Rio Ferdinand, whose contract is also expiring this summer. He is considering retiring and becoming a TV pundit.

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Still going strong: Vidic climbs highest to score against Sunderland in United's Capital One Cup first-leg defeat at the Stadium of Light last month

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Partners: Vidic celebrates a Champions League goal against Inter Milan in 2009 with Rio Ferdinand

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Last hurrah: Vidic lifts the FA Community Shield with Moyes in August 2013

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Hardman: Vidic sticks his head in where it hurts to prevent Chelsea's Oscar getting a clear effort on goal

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Familiar sight: Vidic leads the celebrations as United enjoy winning the Premier League title last season

Moyes recently praised the 32-year-old's contributions this season and confirmed that he was hoping a new deal could be agreed with the former Red Star Belgrade defender.
When asked about Vidic's contract situation, Moyes said: 'I didn’t know about Vida’s contract, I have not looked into it yet. I am sure the chief executive and the club will be doing that.'
'He’s not old. He is a really top centre-half. He’s the best I have ever worked with, that’s for sure.'

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Unforgettable: Vidic (back row, third from left) lines up with his Manchester United team-mates before their Champions League final against Chelsea in 2008

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Father figure: Vidic enjoyed seven-and-a-half years of success under former boss Ferguson

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Heads up: Vidic battles for the ball with Didier Drogba during the 2008 Champions League final

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Danger man: Vidic celebrates scoring one of his 31 league goals for United with a typically powerful header

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Glory days: Vidic and his team-mates celebrate winning the 2008 Champions League after a dramatic penalty shootout win against domestic rivals Chelsea

Vidic's decision will make a new central defender a priority for Moyes this summer, particularly with 35-year-old Rio Ferdinand also out of contract at the end of June.
Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are Moyes' other options but, after promising more big-moneys signings after the arrival of Juan Mata from Chelsea last month, the former Everton boss will be hopeful of bringing in a suitable replacement when the transfer window reopens.
Vidic has already attracted the attention of free-spending Monaco in France and Roberto Mancini's Galatasaray, while Serie A trio Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus are all reported to be keen on signing him.

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Family man: Vidic celebrates the Red Devils' 2011 title victory with his kids on the pitch

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Under pressure: Vidic closes down Chelsea's Samuel Eto'o during United's 3-1 defeat last month

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Battler: Vidic challenges West Ham striker Andy Carroll in the air last season

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Struggling: Vidic has been unable to stop United's disappointing form under Moyes this season

Despite making only 19 league appearances last season after struggling to recover from a serious knee injury, Vidic captained United to their 20th league title in Ferguson's final season in charge at Old Trafford.
Vidic has so far made 284 appearances for United, scoring 19 goals in all competitions and lifting five Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy, three League Cups, five Community Shields and one FIFA Club World Cup.
The ex-Spartak defender has also been honoured for his individual performances, winning the Premier League Player of the Year award in 2008-09 and 2010-11.
He is available to face Fulham on Sunday after serving a three-match ban following his red card in the defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month.

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You're off: Vidic reacts after being sent off in United's defeat to Chelsea last month

NEMANJA VIDIC FACTFILE

1981: Born October 21 in Titovo Uzice in Yugoslavia.
1996: After impressing in youth football he is signed up by Red Star Belgrade.
2000-01: Spends his first season in the professional ranks on loan at Spartak Subotica.
2001-02: Returns to Belgrade and helps them to win the Yugoslav Cup.
2002: October 12 - Makes his international debut for Serbia and Montenegro against Italy in a Euro 2004 qualifier.
2004: Under his captaincy, Red Star win the Serbia and Montenegro league and cup double.
July - Moves to Russian Premier League side Spartak Moscow for an undisclosed fee.
2005: December 25 - Manchester United confirm Vidic has agreed to join them in an estimated £7million deal. Makes his debut in a Carling Cup semi-final second-leg victory over Blackburn.
2006: Misses out on playing at the World Cup through suspension and injury having been part of a back four that conceded just one goal in 10 qualifying matches.
2006-07: Helps United regain the Premier League title after forming an excellent defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand. Also plays in FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley.
2007: November 8 - Signs a two-year contract extension to keep him at Old Trafford until 2012.
2008: Helps United to claim their second straight league title and win the Champions League against Chelsea in Moscow.
2009: Plays in every game as Edwin van der Sar sets world record of 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal. Wins a third consecutive championship title. Introduced as a second-half substitute as United defeat Tottenham in the Carling Cup final. Completes full 90 minutes in Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Rome.
October 29 - Sent off in a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool. It marks the third consecutive match against the Merseysiders in which he has been dismissed.
2010: Wins second consecutive League Cup winners' medal as United beat Aston Villa at Wembley. Plays in Serbia's World Cup campaign as they exit in the first round despite beating Germany 1-0.
August - Signs four-year contract extension. Named United skipper.
2011: Leads United to another championship but part of team beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley.
December - Ruptures cruciate ligaments in Champions League defeat to Basle. Ruled out for remainder of season, having already missed eight weeks with a calf injury.
2012: Returns for opening-day defeat at Everton but comeback lasts just five games before forced to undergo a second operation, keeping him out for three months.
2013: Captain United to the league title - the fifth of his time at Old Trafford.
2014: Sent off in final minute of Premier League defeat at Chelsea - the sixth red card of his United career, two of which came against the Stamford Bridge outfit and three against Liverpool.
2014: February - confirms he will leave Manchester United at end of the season.