Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United tried to sign striker Raul 'this season'
Manchester United tried to sign Raul 'this season' according to the Spanish striker's Schalke team-mate Christoph Metzelder.[LNB] Metzelder was formerly at Real Madrid with Raul. Instead both men left the Bernabeu for Schalke, United's Champions League semi-final opponents.[LNB] Leading the way: Veteran striker Raul joins in with Schalke's fans as they celebrate their remarkable achievement [LNB] 'They tried to sign him this season,' Metzelder said of United and Raul. 'He talked about it to me. I don't know if he thought about it.[LNB] 'A player like him has offers - from clubs in the United States, England but also Schalke. I tried to convince him.[LNB] 'He got to know Germany in the 2006 World Cup and knows the atmosphere, the stadiums, the infrastructure.[LNB] 'I said to him, "You have to experience it". He's a big player and his influence is great.'[LNB] Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once rated Raul as the best player in the world.[LNB] Something to shout about: Schalke's Raul celebrates scoring against Inter[LNB] Raul, 33, scored his 71st Champions League goal against Inter Milan on Wednesday, and set up Schalke's second.[LNB] He then celebrated in the crowd at the end of the game. He has rarely looked happier.[LNB] 'This is a big day for us, the only German club to be left in the Champions League, with three of the biggest clubs in the world,' Metzelder added.[LNB] 'It's a great achievement. It's only Raul who has played finals - the rest of us just watch them on television.' [LNB] Rooney's foul-mouthed rant cost him a semi-final spot, but when brave little Jack asked him for a kiss...Friday Five: Epic Manchester derbies down the yearsFinal insult for fans as Cup ticket prices for Wembley rocket to an astonishing ?115[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson Places: United Kingdom, Germany
