Bayer admit United could tempt Adler

zocoss SG

Familiar faces: De Gea (left) has already lined up against United's arch-rivals Liverpool in the Champions League for Madrid

Manchester United have decided they want David de Gea to replace Edwin van der Sar as their first choice goalkeeper.

The move for a 20-year-old will be seen as a huge gamble, but United scouts and coaching staff are convinced the Atletico Madrid star can handle the responsibility.

Sir Alex Ferguson has watched De Gea extensively over the past year and hopes a £15million deal can be finalised quickly, and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele is laying the groundwork for his arrival by taking Spanish lessons.

Van der Sar, 40, reiterated his intention to quit at the end of this season after starring in the FA Cup win over Arsenal on Saturday, but United hope the multi-lingual Dutchman will take up a coaching role and help smooth the transition for his successor and new No 2 Anders Lindegaard.

United have studied various candidates to replace Van der Sar, with Schalke's Manuel Neuer, Julio Cesar of Inter Milan and Ajax keeper Maarten Stekelenburg all coming under consideration. However, De Gea has similar - if not better - qualities plus age on his side. At 6ft 3½in he is very much part of Spain coach Vicente del Bosque's plans, despite the presence of Iker Casillas and Liverpool's Pepe Reina.

Ferguson is looking at making additions to his squad this summer and is determined to invest in youth to ensure the club benefit from his legacy long after he retires.

The United boss regrets not signing Van der Sar straight after Peter Schmeichel left Old Trafford in 1999. His old rival Arsene Wenger warned that United will be weaker without the Dutchman, regardless of who they sign, after seeing him produce a string of outstanding saves in Arsenal's 2-0 defeat.

Wenger said: 'Van der Sar is one of the best in the world. If United have him in goal at 40 years of age, no matter who they buy next season they will feel the difference because not only does he have exceptional experience, he has exceptional talent.'

Van der Sar could finish his career with two trips to Wembley in the FA Cup and another in the Champions League. United can advance in Europe tomorrow with victory at home to Marseille after a goalless first leg.

Tough act to follow: van der Sar is set to retire at the end of the season

Tough act to follow: van der Sar is set to retire at the end of the season

Despite a rather unconventional attempt by Wayne Rooney to persuade him to reconsider, the Dutchman is adamant this season will be his last.

'I was just speaking to him in the shower,' said Rooney, who headed United's second after Fabio da Silva had scored in the first half.

'The players are trying to persuade him to stay on but it's his decision. Despite his age, he's still the best keeper in the world.'

Safe hands: Schmeichel (right) is widely regarded by United following his time at Old Trafford

Although Van der Sar can look back on a glittering career, the FA Cup is a notable omission from his cv.

He said: 'Of course an FA Cup winner's medal means a lot, despite what I have won. I've played one final and lost a semifinal. It has got away all the time, so hopefully this can be the one.

'It will be nice to finish at my peak. I don't hate retirement - I'm looking forward to it. Everybody doubts themselves. Every writer doubts himself, every artist doubts himself and every footballer does. That is what certain players thrive on.'

Made in Brazil: The Da Silva twins both starred in their advanced midfield roles against Arsenal in the FA Cup

Ferguson's team selection, with the Da Silva twins and Rooney starting in midfield, underlined the injury problems at Old Trafford as well as the manager's priorities.

Even after defeats by Chelsea and Liverpool, Ferguson refused to jeopardise his Champions League chances by risking Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes from the start. Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher are doubtful to face Marseille, with Nani, Rio Ferdinand, Anderson and Michael Owen all out.

Park Ji-sung could return but United's problems in midfield were not helped by a late cameo appearance from Scholes.

He picked up his 10th booking of the season and will miss the next two matches at home to FA Cup semi-finalists Bolton and away to West Ham.

Rock^Star SG

ok la....scholes booking. He has been rather indifferent this season. Just wondering if de gea can handle the pressure. He's still so young. Look at joe hart, he was invincible at the start of the season, now he's error prone.

iceFatboy SG

hence, it would be good if EDS remains in some capacity as coach or mentor to this young keeper.

Rock^Star SG

I don't think so....read that he wants to spend more time with his sickly wife. And family of course.

iceFatboy SG

I don't think so....read that he wants to spend more time with his sickly wife. And family of course.

yep, maybe some hand-holding for a short period of time.. and part time consultancy service.. else, MUFC will have a gap again like when the great dane left, and went into a roller-coaster dive...

Rooney9 SG

Manuel Neuer of Schalke caught the eye during last year's World Cup. Photograph: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images

Manchester United are looking at two goalkeepers in the Bundesliga as possible replacements for Edwin van der Sar.

The club's goalkeeping coach, Eric Steele, was on a scouting missing in Germany on Sunday to watch Bayer Leverkusen's match with Schalke to see Manuel Neuer, who has long been touted as a prospective United goalkeeper.

The 24-four-year-old Neuer caught the eye during last summer's World Cup when he was catapulted into Joachim Löw's starting line-up due to René Adler's rib injury and the death of Robert Enke.

Neuer is on Sir Alex Ferguson's radar and it appears Adler could join a list that also includes the Holland No1. Maarten Stekelenburg.

Last year Adler, 26, spoke of his ambition to join United and his consistent performances this season should keep him in United's mind.

Ferguson has not commented about United's goalkeeping intentions but, with Tomasz Kuszczak likely to leave in the summer and Van der Sar calling time on his career, at least one reinforcement seems certain and Steele's scouting mission provides a further clue that United intend to aim high.

iceFatboy SG

this business is going to be a big circus given Edwin's imminent departure.

Rock^Star SG

one dutch for another dutch la.....stekelenburg.

Rooney9 SG

Bayer Leverkusen still hope to tie goalkeeper Rene Adler down to a new contract, but have accepted that convincing him to stay may be tricky if Manchester United make a bid this summer.

Adler, 26, has been at Leverkusen all his career and has established himself as one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Bundesliga over the past few years.

And with United scouring Europe for a replacement for retiring Edwin van der Sar, Adler's name has been among those linked with a move to Old Trafford, with the likes of Manuel Neuer, David De Gea and Maarten Stekelenburg also reportedly on their radar.

United's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele was sent on a scouting mission to Germany last weekend, where he saw Adler keep a clean sheet in Leverkusen's 2-0 victory over Neuer's Schalke.

Leverkusen remain hopeful of retaining Adler's services and discussions about a contract extension are well under way, with general manager Rudi Voller staying calm over speculation linking Adler with a move away from the club.

"It's a usual circumstance in football to have players being watched by other clubs," Voller said. "We have the desire to sign a new deal with Rene Adler, this is a fact."

But Leverkusen executive Wolfgang Holzhauser says he is concerned that negotiations would be difficult should United swoop for the Germany international.

"There have been talks between the club and Rene Adler already, however we are still far off an agreement at this point in time," Holzhauser told Bild.

"If a club the size of Manchester United comes up, I feel signing a new deal with Rene Adler would not become easier."

iceFatboy SG

despite the merry go-round, which is your pick for the most likely purchase???

for me ->> I hope for the spanish fella.

Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1) SG

pepe reina lar

Rooney9 SG

pepe reina lar

you not man united fan, why you care boy

Rooney9 SG

Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has ruled out a move abroad, but he has yet to fully commit his future to the Gelsenkirchen-based club amid rumoured interest from Bayern Munich.

Neuer, the German No. 1, still has over a year left to run on his contract with the Royal Blues, who are keen to tie him down to a new deal to warn off the likes of Bayern.

However, Neuer is not yet fully convinced about his future in Gelsenkirchen given Schalke's failure to compete in the Bundesliga this season. But he is adamant he wants to stay in Germany - even with reported interest from the likes of Manchester United.

''I definitely want to win the Bundesliga once in my career,'' he said. ''I can go abroad twice a year, once for a summer holiday and once for a winter holiday, but whether I need to go abroad to play football - some players say you do, but I see things differently.''

Neuer has the chance of winning some silverware this year with Schalke already in the final of the DFB-Pokal and into the last eight of the Champions League. Bayern, on the other hand, are almost certainly going to end the season empty-handed and the potential for success is one of the criteria Neuer will be considering when the time comes to make up his mind about his future.

''The priorities are always success and how happy you are, and you have got to think of yourself,'' he added in kicker magazine. ''I have won the League Cup twice and I hope to add the DFB-Pokal in May.''

When Bayern hosted Schalke at the Allianz Arena a few weeks ago, many of the home fans held up banners making it clear that Neuer would not be welcome at their club. That has not put the 24-year-old off, though.

''I got a lot of correspondence afterwards, also from Bayern fans, who apologised for what happened,'' he said. ''It was a strange situation and it would have been better had such a thing not happened.

''(The Bayern management) acted professionally and made it clear to me that it was just a minority protesting against me. It was uncomfortable for the Bayern management too.''

gunner77 SG

Stekelenburg pls