No Manchester United return, no Liverpool shocker… Nemanja Vidic has announced his retirement

One of the finest centre-halves ever to play in the Premier League has hung up his boots for the last time.

Strikers can breathe a sigh of relief as there is going to be no last-gasp return to the English top flight for Nemanja Vidic. Vidic, who recently parted company with Inter, was on many managers' wishlists as the former Manchester United captain could likely still do a job for most sides. The 34-year-old announced his retirement on Friday, just over 10 years to the day since making his United debut. Vidic struck up an almost impenetrable partnership with Rio Ferdinand at Old Trafford as part of a back four that included both Gary Neville and Patrice Evra. Alex Ferguson handed the former Serbia international the captain's armband in 2010 and Vidic still holds a place in the hearts of almost all United fans. "The time has come for me to hang up my boots," he said. "The injuries I have had in the last few years have taken their toll. "I would like to thank all the players I have played with, all the managers and staff I have worked with, and say a big 'thank you' to the fans for their support over the years." There had been rumours of a sensational Jurgen Klopp swoop for Vidic, as well as less sensational interest from Aston Villa, but the tough-tackling defender has ended all speculation by bringing an illustrious career to a close. And fans were understandably pretty beaten up by it. https://twitter.com/LittleRickiee/status/693042225056477184 https://twitter.com/Saarxsahiti/status/693044279845982208 https://twitter.com/gavi27/status/693044268840140800 https://twitter.com/MHammo1990/status/693044249667989504 https://twitter.com/RadicalRegista/status/693044051214475264 https://twitter.com/RowlesPaul/status/693043850303119360 https://twitter.com/kboakye92/status/693043216120180736 https://twitter.com/allofmufc/status/693043394185007104 https://twitter.com/gem7thompson/status/693044174346686464 https://twitter.com/SyedIsVader/status/693043283790934016 https://twitter.com/steventalevski/status/693042977128607744