Ferguson hails Bayern-bound Neuer
Reuters - Tuesday 26 April 2011, 21:42
GELSENKIRCHEN - Schalke 04
goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was praised by Manchester United manager
Sir Alex Ferguson despite conceding two goals in two minutes during
Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League semi-final second leg defeat.
Neuer announced last week he will leave the club he joined
as a boy at the end of the season with Bayern expressing firm
interest and media reports linking United with the in-form
Germany keeper with Edwin van der Sar retiring in May.
Asked if he would make a bid for Neuer or whether a Bayern
move had already been sealed, Ferguson told Sky Sports: "I think
we know that (he will join Bayern), we know that for sure."
Bayern have already asked for a meeting to discuss signing
Neuer, who local media say would cost 20 million euros, and although that was turned down the Bavarians still
hope the keeper will join them at the end of the season.
Neuer made a string of fine saves in the first half to keep
dominant United at bay in Gelsenkirchen but was finally beaten
in the 67th minute when Ryan Giggs put the ball through his legs
and two minutes later he was beaten by Wayne Rooney's strike.
Although Ferguson was astounded by Neuer's overall showing
he looks poised to go shopping elsewhere for a new goalkeeper
with the likes of Atletico Madrid's David de Gea in the frame.
"When (Javier) Hernandez scored and he was offside I think
that told the players they could beat this keeper," Ferguson
joked of the Mexican's disallowed effort at 0-0 when United, now
almost sure of a place in the final, were rampant.
Ferguson later told reporters: "I think in my time at United
this was the finest display of goalkeeping against us. I'm sure
there were other feats but tonight we saw a very good one."