'I realised my thinking was wrong. And United were right': Peter Schmeichel wanted Sir Alex Ferguson to sign Manuel Neuer instead of David de Gea in 2011 but admits Spaniard convinced him after stunning save at Chelsea

Daily Mail | July 16, 2020

Peter Schmeichel believed Manchester United should have moved for Manuel Neuer back in 2011 but is delighted that David de Gea has proven him wrong.

Sir Alex Ferguson needed to find the right replacement for Edwin van der Sar when the Dutchman brought his six successful years at Old Trafford to an end by retiring.

And at the time, goalkeeping legend Schmeichel believed Schalke stopper Neuer, who'd just played against United in the Champions League semi-finals, was the ideal fit.

Peter Schmeichel has admitted that David de Gea wasn't his first choice when Manchester United needed a keeper back in 2011 but that the Spaniard has changed his mind

Old Trafford legend Schmeichel wanted Sir Alex Ferguson to sign Manuel Neuer instead

German keeper Neuer had just impressed for Schalke against United in the Champions League

But Neuer went to Bayern Munich and Ferguson instead moved for unproven but highly promising 20-year-old Spanish keeper De Gea at Atletico Madrid.