Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United want Manuel Neuer to replace Edwin van der Sar
Manchester United have lined up Manuel Neuer as the long-term replacement for Old Trafford veteran Edwin van der Sar. [LNB]United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants the German, who played acontroversial role in England's World Cup exit last summer, to replacethe Dutchman. [LNB]Van der Sar celebrates his 40th birthday at the end of the month andNeuer, 24, has emerged as United's first-choice successor after anextensive search. [LNB] Smart thinking: Manuel Neuer fooled the referee over Frank Lampard's shot[LNB]It is likely to cost more than the £10million Ferguson wants to spend to prise him away from Bundesliga side Schalke, with the goalkeeper approaching the last year of his contract. [LNB]But that has not put him or United off and neither has Neuer's role in England's demise in South Africa, when Fabio Capello's side were knocked out in a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Germany in Bloemfontein. [LNB]The turning point in that match was a Frank Lampard shot which hit the crossbar and crossed the line, but was not given and the goalkeeper helped to con the referee. [LNB]'I tried not to react to the referee and just concentrate on what was happening,' said Neuer afterwards. 'I realised it was over the line and I think the way I carried on so quickly fooled the referee into thinking it was not over. [LNB]'Then I saw it on the television in the doping control office and saw what actually happened. And, yes, it was over. It should have been a goal for England. Probably about two metres.' [LNB] Shot stopper: Manuel Neuer in action for Schalke 04[LNB]Neuer is an ambitious goalkeeper with a desire to play Champions League football next season and he fears that struggling Schalke, his hometown club where he has spent all of his career, are in danger of not delivering. [LNB]'I am not comfortable with the current situation at Schalke,' said Neuer. '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.[LNB] 'As for the future, we will see. I want to be playing in European competition next year.' [LNB]United's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele revealed last week that Van der Sar is planning to retire but the experienced stopper will not rule out changing his mind.[LNB] 'I do not yet know whether I will stop or continue after this season,' said Van der Sar. 'Only in the course of this season will I think about it. For now I keep my focus on United.' [LNB] Will he or won't he: Edwin Van der Sar will decide his future at the end of the season[LNB]Ferguson is anxious to recruit a long-term replacement regardless of Van der Sar's plans and the 6ft 4in German is his preferred choice. [LNB]The United manager will also be encouraged by indications from Neuer that he would prefer a move to Old Trafford rather than switch to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, who are desperate to sign him. [LNB]In BriefSven-Goran Eriksson celebrated a 2-0 friendly victory over Bryan Robson's Thai national team in his first game as Leicester manager by backing his new team to push for promotion to the top flight.[LNB]Eriksson said: 'We are a big club with ambitions to make it to the Premier League. What I see of the players pleases me.' Wayne Rooney branded a chav by his OWN Manchester United team mate Competition: Win tickets for Manchester United v West Brom courtesy of Betfair What the back pages say: Wes Brown's United days look over after blazing row with Sir Alex, United 'won't sell Rooney' to balance the books MANCHESTER UNITED FC
