Vidic moves closer to Real Madrid switch

Vidic has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford (Getty Images)

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic appears to be edging towards the Old Trafford exit according to reports today.

The Times reports that the relationship between the Serbian and his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has become increasingly strained - a situation that worsened after Vidic's last-minute withdrawal in the defeat to Leeds United.

Vidic has been asking for an improved contract that will make him one of the highest paid players at the club, a move that has angered Old Trafford officials considering his terms were improved relatively recently.

It's reported that Ferguson fears the demands are designed to engineer a move to Real Madrid.

The reason for Vidic's withdrawal at the weekend is understood to be a recurrence of a calf injury, but when asked what the problem was after the match, Ferguson was dismissive: "I couldn’t tell you. I couldn't tell you at all."

Speculation over the 28-year-old's future has been rife ever since it was revealed his wife was unhappy in Manchester. Vidic didn't help the situation when he claimed Manchester's main attraction is the train station where "trains leave for other, less rainy cities".

Real Madrid have made clear they are on the look out for a central defender.