chuu 22-8- 2008 02:47 PM
Silvestre move to Gunners
Nemanja Vidic admitted Mikael Silvestre has stunned all his oldManchester United team-mates by signing for Premier League rivalsArsenal.
[table=300][tr][td] [/td][/tr][/table]After looking close to joining Sunderland and Manchester City, Silvestreeventually jumped at the chance of playing under Arsene Wenger, ending anine-year association with the Old Trafford outfit yesterday by signing atwo-year contract for a £750,000 transfer fee.It is the first direct transfer between the two clubs since 1987, when VivAnderson moved north to become one of Sir Alex Ferguson's first recruits asUnited boss, and Vidic can still scarcely believe it.'It surprised me. In fact I think it has come as a surprise to everyone,' hesaid.'It is not often a player leaves one big club to go to another like Arsenal orLiverpool. It does not tend to happen.'But Mikael did not play much last year and I think he just wanted to gosomewhere where he would, so in that sense I am happy for him.'Vidic has grown close to the former France international during his owntwo-and-a-half year stint.And, while it was obvious Silvestre's first-team chances at United werestrictly limited, Vidic believes the 31-year-old is still a class act.'He has been here a long time and he still deserves to play at the highestlevel,' said the Serbian.'Mikael has given so much to this club. I am just surprised he is going toArsenal. But he has made the choice.'Vidic can look forward to pitting his wits against Silvestre later in theseason.
