MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United
have agreed a deal to sign Serbia and Montenegro defender Nemanja Vidic
from Spartak Moscow.
The 24-year-old has agreed personal
terms and passed a medical at United, paving the way for him to join
the club when the transfer window opens on January 1.
No financial details were revealed, but the transfer is understood to be worth in the region of £7m.
United must now secure a work permit for the international defender.
Providing there are no problems, Vidic could make his debut against non-league Burton Albion in the FA Cup on January 8.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be glad to have sorted out his first piece of business so early in the transfer window.
Ferguson,
who on Friday re-stated his desire to continue the progression of his
current side beyond the end of the season, has identified a significant
flaw in his defensive strength.
With Mikael Silvestre struggling
for form and Wes Brown still trying to get a consistent run in the side
because of an horrendous run of injuries, United have looked shaky at
the back.
Ferguson believes the arrival of Vidic, a member of the
'famous four' Serbian back line which conceded just one goal on their
way to next summer's World Cup Finals, will solve the problem.
Ljubomora je grozna stvar.