Gary Neville: Manchester United taking a "big risk" by letting Vidic and Ferdinand leave

Gary Neville

Manchester United are taking a big risk by letting center backs Nemanja Vidic and RIo Ferdinand leave the club in the summer says former Manchester United player Gary Neville. He believes that letting both the experienced defenders leave would be a mistake.

Gary Neville says, “I think it’s a big risk losing Vidic and Rio at the same time.

“There are young centre backs coming through; Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling. And I think if we’re signing a new centre-back coming from a different country who hasn't played here before, the idea of having a stalwart there would help.

“I think it’s a risk. But we’ll see how that pans out.”

Ferdinand and Vidic were a deadly partnership at Manchester United and have been the key for United’s success in the past 6 years. The duo have made 750 appearances together and have won 20 major trophies during their time at Old Trafford. Vidic had earlier announced that he would be leaving the club this summer after contract talks failed with the club and his agent and already signed a pre-contract with Italian club Inter Milan.

Rio Ferdinand announced that he would leave the club at the end of the season after serving the club for 12 years and won almost all possible major trophies at the club. He is currently seeking a new club as he has said that he is only leaving Manchester United and not retiring from football. Newly promoted side QPR are rumoured to sign the former England centre back.