How different would the past decade at Manchester United have been if Manuel Neuer was at the club?
With all due respect to David de Gea, 2014 World Cup winner and 2013 and 2020 Champions League winner Manuel Neuer has been on another level for the past decade.
Neuer was a goalkeeper Sir Alex Ferguson had admitted targeting as Edwin van der Sar’s successor, before being talked out of it.
He told The MEN in 2016: “Eric Steele had been scouting David de Gea for quite a while, but then Neuer came on the scene at Schalke. And I think Schalke would’ve been happy if we’d have gone and taken him.
“So my problem was Eric, because he was adamant that we must take De Gea. I said ‘but Eric, the boy Neuer is the complete unit; he’s mature, his physique is unbelievable’, and he says ‘yeah, but in three years’ time, De Gea will be better’.”
Manuel Neuer saves Manchester United at last
It’s 2023 and while David de Gea surprisingly finds himself as a free agent, Manuel Neuer is starring for Bayern Munich, who gladly scooped him up from Schalke.
Last night, Manuel Neuer did Manchester United a major favour, keeping the team in the Champions League.
He pulled off a staggering double save to deny Copenhagen a victory against Bayern Munich, the game ending 0-0. A win would have eliminated Manchester United, after the Red Devils only drew with Galatasaray.
Neuer shines on night Onana struggles, again
Manuel Neuer is unmatched as the greatest goalkeeper of the past decade, and at 37-years-old, he is still producing shot-stopping heroics. It’s impressive, especially coming off a painful injury suffered early in 2023.
Manchester United have since moved on from David de Gea, signing Cameroon international Andre Onana.
The results have been mixed so far. Onana leads the Premier League for clean sheets, but the numbers in the Champions League are as skewed as Rasmus Hojlund‘s goalscoring in the two competitions.
Onana has conceded 14 goals in five Champions League games, including three last night in a 3-3 draw with Galatasaray, and he was heavily criticised.
If Sir Alex had not been talked out of the Neuer deal all those years ago, United may not be in this predicament…
Manchester United face Neuer next
Manuel Neuer’s favours for Manchester United end here. The Red Devils host Bayern Munich next at Old Trafford.
On this kind of form, you would not fancy United’s chances too much. Erik ten Hag‘s side must beat Bayern, and hope Copenhagen and Galatasaray play out a draw in Denmark.
One hope is that an already qualified Bayern Munich decide to rotate their team, and allow Manuel Neuer to watch from the bench, along with Harry Kane. 35-year-old Sven Ulreich would be his replacement. However, the Germans are known to be ruthless, rather than charitable.
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