Football News EPL: United manager Ferguson eyeing Schalke’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to replace Edwin van der Sar
The Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly found his new man in gloves but to acquire him he will have to break all traditions at Old Trafford because the young 24 year old Schalke 04 is from Germany.
Rumours have concluded that the interest laid by the legendary 68 year old Scotsman is too great to be ignored. If Neuer does happen to be the prodigy the Red Devils boss is planning to bring up then his long time search to replace current number 1 goal
keeper Edwin van der Sar would finally come to a peaceful end.
It is speculated that the aging manager has a few targets before he leaves United and they are to leave the club with a new goal keeper, a new skilful striker and with more titles than Liverpool FC, a team that, according to his famous line, he was going
to knock of its perch.
Now as the old hand Dutch shot stopper nears his 40th birthday this October, it has become apparent that soon enough he will retire, already having surpassed the average for a goal keeper.
Van der Sar has already stated that he will be retiring after this season or the next. Rumour has it that the veteran was on the verge of retiring from club football when he handed in his retirement from international football but Ferguson convinced him
to play for United another season.
Now that Van der Sar’s departure is so close Ferguson was desperate to find his new man between the posts. The Scotsman has been so anxious that he has been missing club games while scouting other players, for instance when he went on a lookout for Atletico
Madrid’s 19 year old star goal keeper, David de Gea.
Reports have said that to acquire Schalke’s prized possession the United manager will require around 10 million pounds to give to the Bundesliga club.
The increased price of the goal keeper is not just because of his recent show of skills but his performance and capability shown in the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa when he was chosen to represent Germany in international fixtures.
However his performance against England which led to the Three Lions’ controversial defeat, leaves a grey area in his contract with the English club. In the match Neuer was played along in a role ruse the referee against a goal struck by Frank Lampard. He
ultimately succeeded and that has caused the anger of English fans ever since.
Nonetheless Neuer has stated that he wants to win the Champions League along with other big trophies and for that to happen he wants to be part of a bigger club. He stated that though he loves his present home town club, it does not seem that the he will be
getting any trophies or titles with them anytime soon.
While Schalke was at the 2nd position in Bundesliga last season, in spite of the arrival of world class striker Raul Gonzalez the club is in the relegation zone this time being at the 18th place.
In a press release the German international stated, “I am not comfortable with the current situation at Schalke.”
He hinted about his future with club saying, “I hope we can turn the corner and get back on track. My contract runs until 2012 and I have always made it clear that I would play this season for Schalke.”
About a week ago Manchester United’s goalkeeping coach Eric Steele informed that Dutch legend has made up his mind to retire from football and this time there won’t be much to stop him.
While talking to media Van der Sar mentioned, “I do not yet know whether I will stop or continue after this season.”
He added, “Only in the course of this season will I think about it. For now I keep my focus on United.”
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