Gary Neville explains why letting Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic go is a big risk by Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic

Gary Neville believes Manchester United may have made a mistake by letting defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic leave the club this summer.

Vidic announced recently that he would be ending his time at the Red Devils and would be joining Italian outfit Inter Milan this summer. Rio Ferdinand, Vidic’s defensive partner, then followed up Vidic’s decision by also announcing he will be leaving the club he signed for more than a decade ago and the Red Devils are now preparing replacements for the pair, with Mats Hummels a Man United target.

Gary Neville believes letting both players go, who made 750 appearances together, is a big risk and a move that could backfire.

He told reporters: “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 has been linked with a host of clubs as he begins his search for employment next season, but he has insisted that he will taking time to think about his next move with America a serious consideration for the former Leeds centre-back.

Rio Ferdinand had the joint-highest pass accuracy in the United side this season in the Premier League (89%).

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Edited by Staff Editor