Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic reveals mistake Rafa Benitez made over Liverpool transfer

Manchester United legend Nemanja Vidic has admitted he nearly signed for Liverpool and revealed why it didn’t get over the line.

The Serbian former defender made history with the Red Devils, wearing the captains armband and winning five Premier Leagues, three League Cups and one Champions League among other honours.

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But Vidic’s story could’ve have been very different had he opted to sign for Man United’s rivals in 2005 instead.

Now 41 years old, the ex-Red Devils star has gone into detail about just how close he was to becoming a Red, with him even having talks with then-manager Rafael Benitez.

“The first moment I was in contact with the club [Man United] was December 2005,” Vidic told former Man United centre-back partner Rio Ferdinand’s Vibe with Five YouTube show.

“But at the time Liverpool was also involved. 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!”

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After the Spanish manager decided not to get in touch, Vidic explained how a transfer to Man United cropped up.

“Fergie obviously got in touch,” Vidic continued. “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.”

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Vidic left Man United for Inter Milan in 2014, announcing at the beginning of that season he was “not considering staying in England as the only club I ever wanted to play for here is Manchester United.”

His final game saw him receive three standing ovations, one during his pre-match presentation by Sir Bobby Charlton, when he came on as a substitute and when he had his first touch, summing up his legacy.

But imagine if Benitez had called him back…