Sir Alex appears to be looking for a reliable pair of hands to take over from Edwin rather than trust the job to Foster.

Sports - October 24, 2007

ALEX FERGUSON is trying to wrap up a £5million deal for keeper Manuel Neuer before Bayern Munich increase their bid.

The Manchester United manager has received rave reports about the FC Schalke stopper, 23, who is being dubbed the new Peter Schmeichel. (The Sun)

Oh dear, it’s the dreaded ‘new…’ syndrome. A fate worse than death leading to the player being really quite awful and not at all in the same league as the player they are said to emulate. Actually the keeper concerned is a pretty decent keeper by all accounts.

The 23 year old has now been capped at full international level by Germany and has many admirers after three solid seasons between the sticks at Schalke and garnering quite a reputation for himself.

Given Ben Foster’s fairly poor display at the Community Shield and Edwin Van der Saar’s injury and aging frame I can understand why Sir Alex is looking for alternatives and Neuer represents a very good signing to me, so hopefully United can complete the deal, especially at that price!

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