Alex Ferguson has revealed that he is delighted to know of Nemanja Vidic's decision to extend his contract with Manchester United. The Old Trafford boss has revealed that Vidic’s contract will now run for a further four years and this has given Ferguson and United a boost after Rio Ferdinand’s ongoing fitness problems.

Vidic had been linked with a move away from the club, with Real Madrid the possible destination, but chief executive David Gill confirmed on Friday that the Serbian defender had agreed a new deal.

Ferguson said in a press conference: "In the modern day game it is not easy renewing players contracts when they do well, particularly those from other countries.

"Over the last year or so there has been speculation about Nemanja Vidic time and time again, sometimes by the press, sometimes fuelled by other sources. But we never had a strong feeling he really wanted to leave. There is always concern if they do well they want better contracts.

"At the end of the day we have managed to achieve the task of getting him to agree a four-year contract. We are delighted, he is fantastic centre-half, a great competitor with a marvellous attitude to winning games. It strengthens our hand."

To be called as one of the best centre backs in the world by Alex Ferguson is something not everyone enjoys. And even though after being subject to that honour, Vidic seems to be on his way to another big club, Real Madrid.

The 28-year old's future at the Premier League runners up has been at the centre of debate al season after he reportedly grew unsettled at the club. Despite insisting this is not the case, Vidic has been linked with a £20 million exit to neighbours Manchester City, Inter, AC Milan and Madrid.

New head coach Jose Mourinho had chased a reunion with Brazil World Cup 2010 right back but Inter have doggedly resisted their efforts. This determination has led the Portuguese to keep Sergio Ramos out wide and push for an elite centre back signing.

Benfica's David Luiz and Vidic are rumoured to be his top two targets for the role. The Serbians' extra experience is believed to appeal more to Mourinho, though United would be reluctant sellers due to Rio Ferdinand's on-going fitness problems.

The new Manchester United Kit is out today! Its an old style shirt in United's famous red, with a big, white grandad collar.

It looks fantastic, and some of the players have been saying how comfortable it is to play in, and also loving the fact that it is made from recycled plastic bottles!

Get yours now from Red Hot Football - the soccer specialists.

NEMANJA VIDIC apologised to fans after Serbia’s performance against New Zealand led to riots.

The Manchester United centre-back used the public address system to tell supporters to calm down during the defeat in Klagenfurt, Austria, at the weekend.

The 28-year-old, who was standing in as skipper for Dejan Stankovic, has promised an improvement in their final warm-up matches against Poland and Cameroon.

“Fans have been phenomenal for most of the meetings,” he said. “I’m sorry that we have not responded with a win.

Radomir Antic’s team appear to be in turmoil after losing 1-0 to the All Whites, but Vidic reckons there is time to get it right.

Play your part in the Fans World Cup! All you need to do is Like your chosen team, and help them win their group by having the most fans!

Click here to pick your team!

Nemanja Vidic has once again rejected talk of a possible move away from Manchester United this summer.

Vidic has been the subject of intense speculation for most of the season, with claims his wife Ana is not happy in England and both AC Milan and Real Madrid suggested as potential destinations for the tough-tackling Serb - yet the 28-year-old has consistently queried how such rumours have spread.

"I have never said anything about wanting to leave," he told United Review. "The speculation has all been generated by other people."

He added: "I think one reason it went on for so long was because I was injured and didn't have many chances to speak out about the issue. But I haven't spoken to any other clubs.

"United is a great club. I have had a lot of success and made a name for myself here. I appreciate all of that."

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic believes that Wayne Rooney's current blistering form renders his side invincible in their search for Premier League and Champions League glory. The Serbian feels that staying fit has allowed Rooney to build momentum and then sustain it without the interruptions caused by injury.

"I face Wayne in training every day so I know all about his ability," Vidic told United's official website. "He’s a good player and we just need to make sure he stays fit. Over the last few years he’s had one or two injuries and it’s been difficult for him to pick up the right form. But he’s doing so well for us at the moment."

Rooney helped blast United into the last eight of the Champions League on Wednesday evening with another two goals in their 4-0 win against Milan. That took the England international past 30 goals for the season, and with him in that kind of form Vidic believes that United should fear no one in Europe.

"I don’t think about who we could face next in Europe," Vidic added. "Any game will be hard. But it doesn’t matter who we play, we’ll be playing to win."

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic believes that Wayne Rooney's current blistering form renders his side invincible in their search for Premier League and Champions League glory. The Serbian feels that staying fit has allowed Rooney to build momentum and then sustain it without the interruptions caused by injury.

"I face Wayne in training every day so I know all about his ability," Vidic told United's official website. "He’s a good player and we just need to make sure he stays fit. Over the last few years he’s had one or two injuries and it’s been difficult for him to pick up the right form. But he’s doing so well for us at the moment."

Rooney helped blast United into the last eight of the Champions League on Wednesday evening with another two goals in their 4-0 win against Milan. That took the England international past 30 goals for the season, and with him in that kind of form Vidic believes that United should fear no one in Europe.

"I don’t think about who we could face next in Europe," Vidic added. "Any game will be hard. But it doesn’t matter who we play, we’ll be playing to win."

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic believes that Wayne Rooney's current blistering form renders his side invincible in their search for Premier League and Champions League glory. The Serbian feels that staying fit has allowed Rooney to build momentum and then sustain it without the interruptions caused by injury.

"I face Wayne in training every day so I know all about his ability," Vidic told United's official website. "He’s a good player and we just need to make sure he stays fit. Over the last few years he’s had one or two injuries and it’s been difficult for him to pick up the right form. But he’s doing so well for us at the moment."

Rooney helped blast United into the last eight of the Champions League on Wednesday evening with another two goals in their 4-0 win against Milan. That took the England international past 30 goals for the season, and with him in that kind of form Vidic believes that United should fear no one in Europe.

"I don’t think about who we could face next in Europe," Vidic added. "Any game will be hard. But it doesn’t matter who we play, we’ll be playing to win."

Nemanja Vidic and Zoran Tosic's Serbia are the latest 'United Nation' to qualify automatically for South Africa 2010 - at the expense of Patrice Evra's France.

As Group 7 leaders in Europe, the Serbs confirmed their likely passage to the World Cup finals in emphatic style on Saturday, hammering Romania 5-0. Vidic played for 73 minutes while Tosic was an unused substitute.

The French also won 5-0, against the Faroe Islands, to confirm their runners-up spot. Evra completed the 90 minutes and can now plan for the play-offs in November.