Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler has revealed that as a kid he had Manchester United posters all over his bedroom walls.
The club revealed earlier this season that the goalie has a special clause in his contract which specifies that if Manchester United offer the asking price, they have to sell him, so intent is he to his dream of being a United player.
Leverkusen are currently 3rd in the league, with a goal difference worse by just 1 than the team above them in 2nd.
“I have told the board of Leverkusen that I am not willing to discuss any kind of new contract until April,” said Adler. “I just want to achieve a Champions League spot with my team here now. But everyone here knows that I have higher ambitions and everyone knows that Manchester United is my dream club. The board of the club are aware of the special clause in my contract. As a young kid all my friends were interested in cartoons, MTV, and German television programmes, but I was only interested in one person: Peter Schmeichel, who was in goal for Manchester United. I thought he was fantastic and loved every minute he was on TV with United. My whole bedroom was full of Schmeichel posters and United things. I also had one or two other heroes in football, like Paul Gascoigne and Zidane. But nobody, in my eyes, was as impressive as Schmeichel.”
Man Utd News 24/7
Wow.
He is a good goalie too.. German No.1 but injured before WC so Manuel Neuer came in
Fergie… sign him up!
i just have one thing to say regarding this:
I hope Sir Alex will not hesitate if he feels the keeper is good for us. Please dont hesitate and end up regretting it. Just go for it.
how much would he cost? and how old is he?
I think the price is 15m. If United bid 15m, then the club can sell him to United.
him and nuer look to be the best of keepers in their 20′s and would much prefer Adler to de Gea from Atletico, Adler’s been first choice for Bayer for a few years now where as Gea has only a few months experience so Adler looks better poised to handle the pressure of playing for UTD
@sayyidhashim
im pretty sure he’s 23 or 24
I want Barthez back…
dunno how good he is as i have never seen him, though i would prefer someone high profile like Buffon. We tried signing promosing keepers after Schmeichal like Bosnich, Howard, Caroll, Taibi but they all failed until Edwin came
lets hope Adler and Lindergaard are the real deal
I used to have pictures on my wall of Harry Gregg. Can I play for United too, please!
He’s 25 and 6’3″ tall.
If he has been influenced by watching Schmeichel, he sounds good.
Plus he is a Manchester United fan.
The strengths of Schmeichel and Van Der Sar has been their distribution and composure on the ball, if he has that he would be perfect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpIch4M71EU
adler in action.
I havent seen him play but everyone is saying he has the ability to be our number 1 keeper so I would be happy if fergie signs him.
On other note i have to say kushchack looked good in the last three matches for us.But not sure whether he could be our number 1.
I dont know who is a better ‘keeper: Neuer or Adler? But the fact that he loves United and would sweat blood for the club is something that you cannot artificially instill in any player in the world. When the shit hits the fan, when the sky falls down on your head, when the smoke has cleared, the only people still sticking around are always the club’s fans and players like Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.
Fergie, sign him up!!!
i want 2 see a midfield maestro to be signed next like xavi or ineista
Aah those were the days, the Schmeichel days. That guy was’nt human. He was from another planet. The best goalie United will ever have!
@sayyidhashim: Some of those saves are absolute top drawer….he seems to have amazing reflexes, strong hands, doesnt commit till the last moment and and has that raw edge which all the good goalkeepers have – that bollocking personality that keeps the defence in shape. The only thing I didnt like was that he seems to have to many unclean saves – he seems to prefer punching, and some of whose would be swept in by the guy following through. If he is young and has Utd. in his blood, he can only get better, so kinda positive.
@Jeet
im sure UTD will keep VDS as coach and that will help any new keeper
@MyCow: which cow is better ,nuer or adler???
@Giles Oakley: How ru ? Call Fergie he might be interested, I bet u will be a good influence on the team.
@sayyidhashim: good chance yes,Fergie has said he wants the players like VDS ,Gary,Giggs,Schole in coaching roles at the club.
Plus his son Joe Van Der Sar signed up.
Good Chance.
havent really seen much of him at all but he is a good height for a keeper so hopefully he’ll be commanding when it comes to crosses .. and that video shows that he has pretty good reflexes and is a good shot-stopper. lets hope he is as good with the ball at his feet (something that sets VdS apart from decent keepers) and commands his penalty area !
so summing up : someone who has seen him play should be commenting on him
Kus looked good when needed yesterday, but for me he looked a bit slow to react on Stoke’s goal midweek. I like him, but I think he will always have a Van Der Gouw quality to him.
I think we have to face it that after VDS retires we will have a transitional period – hopefully just not as poor as the one following Schmeichel.
he’s 25 and the buyout clause is 15mill,in todays transfer market it would seem very reasonable i’m sure if sir alex rates him he must be close to the top of the list.
Like any Otter Goalkeeper in germany he learned to play with his foot very early. There’s no problem for him.
United in his blood and a topclass goalie.
I still think we should buy Craig Gordon.A spectacular goalie with natural talent.
I had posters up of Best
Quite the striker I was at school
Any chance of me playing for United?
I’d be prepared to accept pay as you go too
Maybe Giles we could send our resumes to Sir Alex together – no harm in trying it’s not like we are asking for a block of flats or some land lol
I didn’t hear anyone mention this guy, until he said, he supported United. Can’t see it happening.
I am starting a one man campaign
Sell Rooney sign me!
lol
@willie rednut….spot on mate….never heard of him!!…..we need a proven experienced keepr…simple.even if its for 2-3 years.
Craig Gordon….boom!
willierednut
As mentioned mate he is Germany number one – well was before the WC before he got injured and didn’t make it – think highly of him in Germany – whether or not that is automatic qualification for being a United number one is a different matter altogether.
was keeping nuer out of the german side till his injury so the guy’s not chopped liver
MG – I’ve got espn mate, so I’ve watched a bit of the German league, including Leverkusen. I never thought to myself, we have to get this guy. Don’t get me wrong, that sounds like a song lol, he’s a decent keeper, but he wouldn’t be my choice. I’d love United to sign De Gea, but getting him to leave Spain, will be a hard task, me thinks.
You should forget about Neuer.
Imo he’s already of to munich.
And just some of you saying you never heard of him doesn’t mean anything.
Did anyone of you rate hernandez before?
He definitly is a topclass goalkeeper and is able to replace van der Sar.
And he said already a few years ago that he is a big fan of United.
I live in germany and see Adler week in week out on the telly. Alongside Manuel Neuer he is the best german No1 and would have been at the world cup if it weren´t for injury problems. He is not only a stopper but also very good with his feet – like VDS. He has good height and takes charge of his back four. I think he is 25 or so which is a good age for a goalie he also has experience in the CL and at International level. 15m is a fair price for one of the top goalies in europe.
He has a big future and is definitely better than Tomas Kuczak and Lindegaard.
On a side note Dimitar Berbatov started his “career” at Leverkusen.
I would sign him tomorrow if I was the Gaffer. We need a youngish goalie who can go a few years with us, Buffon (best goalie in the world) would be my first choice but he will never leave Italy.
Never trust a spanish keeper abroad…..thats what I say aprt from Pepe Reina mind
The fact he supports United, shouldn’t matter. The thing that matters, is he good enough, to play for United.
signing a keeper with his credentials and who is a man utd fan would be good.
unfortunately, nothing special on his youtube video though.. IMO he’d have to pull a evra/vidic-esque transformation if he signs for us.
I had a Linda Lusardi callendar on my wall, but this doesnt give me the right to walk up to her and suck on her tits!!!
we should be looking elsewhere……..the guys overrated and not for us.
Craig Gordon!
If you get the best goalkeeper in Germany you’ve very probably get the best goalkeeper in the world. Looks well worth a punt to me.
If he ent got those posters up now then it don’t count….
Plus there is no value in the market…!
@redsimmo….LOL!
fuck him and his posters.!
@ jespermoses
I would sooner fuck linda lusardi if thats ok!!!
We will need a 2nd goalie in the summer, so I hope this guy fits the billl.
I’ve read in MEN’s online that Sir Alex wants to make the solitary signing this month but there is no follow-up to that story.
Lots and lots and lots of people would love to play for United but that is not the only qualification that is required.
Fergie will make his choice and he has a lot more experience than when he tried to replace Schmeichel.
If he is the “one” then Fergie will pick him even if he had supported Galatasary since he was a kid or just had Pamela Anderson posters on his wall – that makes no difference whatsoever but if he is special enough then it is a cherry on the cake that he is a true red aswell.
GOT to have good feet but then nobody has like Edwin. Tomas is a likeable guy and a great shot stopper but unfortunately his distribution is woeful. Summat that can be worked on I guess. Really wanna see a bit of Lindergaard.
It would shock me if he comes in honestly, the scary thing is he’s being linked with first team straight away and he is younger than Lindegaard. That’s bound to make Lindegaard a bit uneasy surely? Can’t see it going down well with morale, even if he is top class.
of course if he isn’t good enough then utd shouldn’t sign him,over the years greman num 1′s have been top class.its better signing someone who’s a utd fan and wants to play for the club than a rentboy who signs and then tells everyone he’d rather be somewere else,city part 17 or whatever the fuck the number is now.
Hi, we’ll need some major investment in the summer either through the market or youth set up. Most of our Old Guard is into twilight of their career; personally I think we definitely need another left winger (Bale comes to mind but I doubt it) & a goal keeper (am sure SAF got that covered). There seem to a lot of players mentioned in the papers, but I hope (wish list!) we sign Jordan Henderson, Jack Rodwell & bring back Ryan Sawcross, all three really looking promising. Plus all are English, they could be the future backbone of the team, now if add that samba flavor which we have in team with some new Europeans players then were really got something cocking there!
-Eleven
I know his name has been linked with us in the past and I was strongly against it, but was anyone else impressed with Reina yesterday?
Fuck me Craig Gordon? Really?
And fuck Henderson too. Cleverley plays the same position and looks way better.
De Gea? And in 5 years we hear how badly he misses spain.
Only god knows and so on.
And since when do we buy overhyped players? Who was schmeichel before he was our goalie?
@costas he’s rated one of the top goalies and don’t think he’ll be sticking around think the dippers going to have problems keeping or signing top players but would they sell him to utd? 99% chance no.if its true the adler buyout is 15mill seems like a good price for germany’s num 1.
James Morrison is a United fan, we should also sign him? Don’t know who he is? The lad scored a volley against United for West Brom. Couldn’t give a toss if he supports United tbh. I’ll watch him again, but I ain’t convinced he’s the one.
Costas – reina is a top goalie but do we really need to sign players from the scousers?
Reina pulled off 5 saves in defending 1 attack.
Quality keeper. The only decent Liverpool player.
I don’t want anything from them, although I’d be happy to facilitate his departure.
I have Sir Alex picture on my wall.
Gimme control! I want the power!
My first move? Reinstate Sir Alex.
Who ever we buy it is always their claim of a “Dream Come True” when they sign for United (and so it bloody should be!).
Mike Phelan was a life long United fan when we signed him – he was never much better than shite as a player and we are still stuck with the fucker now!
As the saying in the fanzines said at the time – ‘not even Heineken can help this useless twat’
adler has played at all age levels for germany and became number 1 at 23.thats got to say something abut his ability
Not saying he’s not good, but so many keepers have been linked with United, It’s hard to say who’s the best option for United.
Leverkusen play Dortmund on Friday, It’s on espn. I’ll watch it and see how he performs.
shay given?
15 years ago I discovered that my girlfriend ( whom I loved) had a German father. So what? That’s what I thought. All I could think about was ‘how would Grandad feel?’ The relationship slowly died. I am not proud of this, I regret it.
If United only sign players from places that we have no negative history with, we’d be limited to Ji Sung Park and Manucho.
However, it seems unlikely that we will sign a German. I hope I am wrong.
Sounds just like my cousin, he still has all the posters of the great dane but none of man utd
Yesterday he was on the bench for ipswich watching them get hammered haha.
@smartalex, I think you’re barking up the wrong tree there to be honest if you think the reason United have never had a german player is because of some deep-seeded racism based on WW2. There have been other circumstances (i.e. Germany having a very strong league of its own). We never had a Spanish player until Pique, or Portuguese until Ronaldo – in recent years though the premiership has become more appealing to european players.
Growing up I had posters of Carla Bruni without pants on.
Can I be President of France?
Oops am I doing it wrong?
Manchuchu
I think you would need to have had De Gaulle hung on your wall.
on your premis – Adler would need to have had pics of Kathy Ferguson on his wall to play for United
Off topic (well I always seem to be lol)
PLTV have dedicated a 2 hour show, yes TWO hours to discuss Chelsea so far this season, Guests?
Andy Townsend and Craig Burley………… what a bloody waste of air space and laughable wankfest
seems to be alot of comments or jokes about the fact he’s a utd fan so can we all play for utd,no one is saying sign him because of that but if he’s good enough its certainly a positive.with him getting a clause put in his contract that if utd come knocking{no other club just utd} he can leave is pretty unique and shows a serious intent and that he’s not bullshitting about his desire to play for us.
wilierednut – he won’t play. Cause he’s just back in training since a week or so.
wayne
well said mate, for a player to specify ONE club only on his contract speaks volumes….
See guys, I CAN be ON topic lol
Cedars
Bravo for being on topic
I had posters of Kylie up on the wall in the good old days does that mean I should have dated her?
I wish!
can’t see Edwin staying beyond his retirement in any sort of coaching role, his wife is ill in Holland.
MG
Thanks for the applauds mate…. I feel sort of touched! lol
CedarsDevil
Ha ha ha – It’s great you’ve been touched mate!
Where’s Costas?
Hayley McQueen in black – ha ha ha
Beckham to Spurs on off on off on again? Ha ha ha funnier still!
@Dave Malaysia my cow has bigger tits. :p
somebody said the fact that he wants to play for us doesnt matter.. how come? It is true though that he should be able to play for us in the first place, but wanting to play for us is the second most important point in my opinion.
andsolskjaerhaswonit…
Is she ill again?
MG
I can be ‘touched’ in so many ways mate! hahahah
As for Costas, he is probably rolling on the Kebabs
Zelh – Is that right? Watch him another time then. Hope he’s not injury prone, that would be just our luck.
Thanks bigphil2003. I know United has strong bonds with German clubs, and I am clear there is NO place for racism. I wonder how people that experienced the horrific atrocities of war are affected. England is certainly more tolerant than Italy, for example. However, the chants heard at the match on Sunday show that some fans target the most painful memories, desecrating any in their path.
I’m not saying we wouldn’t sign him for fear of chants.
I am hoping that xenophobia plays no part.
MG
I meant i she had brain-hemorrhage, VDS won’t be spending time away from her IMO.
From all the Keepers ,we’ve been linked with,i choose Steklenburg from Ajax .He’s been superb over the last few years and he did very well during the WC.He has been performing really in the CL as well.
Well
We have been talking about Alder and his release clause for some time so this is nothing new. It go more interesting a couple of months ago when it was revealed that Alder was refusing to sign a new contract with B. Leverkusen. We will see.
Yes I know I have blown their trumpets the last 18 months but players like Henderson and Rodwell will offer NOWT to United, decent enough players but will do nothing to improve us. Just 2 flavours of the month”!!
andsolskjaerhaswonit…
I thought she had recovered because as far as I’m aware the Van Der Sars actually live here and the kids go to school here
?
Personally.. when we’re looking to sign a keeper it’s got to be something long term. While De Gea is good he is also spanish and would eventually look to move back home. He is happy at Alt Madrid and also knows that aslong as he stays put he will end up in the Spanish team and will eventually get poached by Real or Barca.
A German keeper is more attractive, far more likely to settle into the club aswell as a English club. But to then hear they’re a Manchester United fan? I can’t help but feel it’s important and will bring 100% out of him in every performance..
Anyway, my two pence. PEACE!
off topic but i can’t help feeling chuffed when players talk about Paul Scholes, even from an ex-poo player
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/01/10/2298798/xabi-alonso-believes-manchester-united-veteran-paul-scholes
Have yous ever thought that Sir Alex sees Lindegaard as VDS replacement? Notorious made this point the other day, but It seems to have fell on deaf ears.
@smartalex – Yeah mate, the sad truth is some fans (on all sides) are scumbags. I remember earlier this season some United fans trashed up Burnley’s (?) food stands and a lot of people were on here applauding what they had done and writing it off as a “bit of a laugh”, but now condemning the dippers for trashing OT’s toilets.
@King Eric – Alright mate, hope you’d a break over christmas. Agree with you on Henderson/Rodwell – I remember after AmbitionGate the papers were all claiming that after Rooney had his ambitions reaffirmed meant we were going to buy these two. They both seem like decent young players and decent prospects – but I fail to see how buying them would be any different than what our transfer policy has been in the last 3 or 4 years? I don’t see how they’re going to come in and improve the team.
out of interest, is Lindegaard here now? is he eligible to appear for us? i was under the impression he was signed and to arrive in January so hopefully we can get to see him before the season is out.
MG, good idea to send our resumes but maybe we should get ourselves an agent. Could be Paul Stretford’s big chance to get back into Fergie’s good books if he can offer us as a twofer. The only problem might be the insurance on me.
Dave Malaysia, I’m OK my friend, thanks. I would love to get into the players dressing room 15 minutes before KO in a really big match and give them a little speech. It might just relax them as they go out saying, ‘Who was that wanker??’
Giles Oakley
Oh that’s a brilliant laugh
Yeah Stretford might want to sell me off to city just to rile SAF off
CountZeero @ 12:39: “He is not only a stopper but also very good with his feet – like VDS. He has good height and takes charge of his back four.”
This is great to hear. Thanks for the update. Edwin is often under-rated (and/or overlooked) because he is so calm. controls the ball so very, very well, and can use both feet. Some other “top class” keepers might be more acrobatic but VDS’ ability to command and control make him a truly great player at his position. IF Adler is similar then he’s a “definite maybe” – the fact that he is outspoken in his regard for UTD is also a big plus since this signing is going to be the cornerstone/platform for the NewUTD.
alonsos’ role model is paul scholes. on the golkeeper story i wud prefer njulio ceasa.
alonsos’ role model is paul scholes. on the golkeeper story i wud prefer n
julio ceasa.
MG
all’s good if that’s the case.
Oldham have a great young keeper Benjamin Paul, who has yet to concede for them.
In the meantime, I think Buffon will be SAF’s choice.
I had Pamela Anderson posters on my walls. Never got to join her though.
I know this was said already, but it beats Manchuchu’s taste in women.
@MG
Yep, that’s what I was doing, lol. The kebabs keep on coming.
escandon @ 18:35: ” on the golkeeper story i wud prefer n julio ceasa.”
He’s been terrific but he’s also probably “un-gettable”. There’s no question, though, that he has supplanted GianLuigi Buffon as the best keeper in Serie A. Buffon is now brittle and injury-prone.
Bring back Tim howard.
I want Ricardo.
Jim Leighton lol.
Rio Ferdinand
I was just reading about him in Barclay’s book about Sir Alex, lol.
Nick Culkin.
Nick Culkin – 100 000 / 8 seconds = 12 500 pounds per second.
Yep. The shortest Pr.League career ever!
Jimmy Leighton, he’s got no teeth and he’s no bloody good either lol.
I just want my kebabs
Kusz is very good at reaction saves but he is a little exposed at crosses and corners, so if he improves in those area, I’m happy to see him getting more chances.
To Adler, he has very strong hand which is probably the same as Lindergaard. I’d like to see them deal with crosses and corners before judging more about them
I like several of the keepers that we have been linked with, but Lindegaard may be something special if he is developed slowly and allowed to bild confidence. Sending Ben Amos on loan and moving Anders into the number 3 seat is a very good move this year. I hope we can find him some games and he should defonately get some run outs with the reserves.
Still think Kuszczak could do if we don’t sign someone else this year. Kuz has been a fine number 2 and he surely has served when needed. Must be tough as hell to be a quality number 2. Agree he is not the best with ball distribution. But he is surely better than some we have had.
Kuszczak continues to say good things and surely wants the job.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11667_6648455,00.html
Bigphil. Evening mate yeah great thanks. Hope you are well. Well in the next couple of years I honestly believe ryan tunnicliffe will be one of the lads running our midfield. A top drawer performance again tonight. Seventeen but hard as fucking nails and a big lad. Surging runs from the middle of park and gets goals. Starting to stand out a mile nowadays.
King Eric @ 22:38: ” I honestly believe ryan tunnicliffe will be one of the lads running our midfield. A top drawer performance again tonight. Seventeen but hard as fucking nails and a big lad. Surging runs from the middle of park and gets goals. Starting to stand out a mile nowadays.”
Thanks for this – but you’re making me jealous – stuck here in the GreatWhiteNorth without access to real news. Do you rate Tunnicliffe ahead of Pogba ? or is there just an embarassment of riches in the academy/reserves ?
Henke17 – Lindegaard was on the bench for the Scouse game.
There is no bloody doubt the most important thing is that he’s got it to be United’s Number One. But anyone who says being a United fan isn’t important is surely forgetting a certain number 7 who went public about being a modern-day slave, just to get make good his childhood dream of moving to Madrid!
Having said that though, I can’t decide who’s better: Adler or Neuer? Neuer looks like a big, solid keeper with steely nerves. Bayern don’t want him for nothing, surely.
So many players talk about how they admire United and release ‘please buy me’ statement but did Sir Alex gives a fuck? The last time he bought a United fan was in Tevez and look what happened?
Right about Tevez there, but how many players have United clauses in their contract? Thing is, we don’t want United to be no fucking stepping stone for nobody. We’s the biggest club in the world, so fuck anyone who thinks otherwise!
wow seems like a united freak. and he’s pretty good as well. was German number one before he got injured. if fergie isn’t signing anyone at least he can go for this guy. he’s good , he is willing to sacrifice everything to come here. those are the kind of players we should be signing and not some idiot like benzema who constantly refuses to join us and yet we keep tapping him up.
Bottom line is…….sign Gareth Bale (he will come to United sooner or later)…a\nd for a keeper Craig Gordon.
£30 million should cover it.
@MyCow : Yo dude ,have a strange feeling theres more than 1 cow mooing about,ermmm!
@MyClosing : So u survived polska vodka huh?
@Giles Oakley: Good ur doing well. Think they wud be more motivated .
Anyone seen Pogba ‘s goal in the FAYC? Dont want to count any chikens yet (anyone seen nasri as a running chiken on the guardian website)hehe but out Pogba and quite a few of the kids are extremely impressive.
Why is Sky saying harry henderson of spurs wants phil neville?
So the media circus is linking us to per mertsacker ,busquests and few others.
ronaldinho is back inbrazil,so thats that.
this phil neville thing is out of the blue.
From the Youtube video he looks to have some similar qualities to Schmeichel ie. strong hands, good reflexes however I’d be interested to see what his distribution and kicking is like and how he handles crosses, that Youtube video seemed to show too many saves which allowed the ball to fall back into open play.
I’m not really bothered if hes a united fan or not, although its nice to here and I’m sure it would endear him to the fans, the fact is if hes good enough to be the future no1 then he could be a dipper fan for all I care.
denton – Morning mate. Streets ahead of Pogba in my opionion and the same age. Pogba is a greta player but a bit thin still. Tunnicliffe is a fucking beast mate and whats more is well up for a scrap. A young Keano.
I think Kusczak (sp?!) deserves a run in the first team.
I know its a big risk with keepers and can have a major impact a la Ben Foster if they struggle to cope with the pressure, but he has always been solid and reliable, and has shown dedication by waiting patiently in the reserves. I don’t recall him ever letting us down (though sure someone may correct me!)
Sure he needs to work on his distribution but that can come – I think he is worthy of a chance.
ManUtd . com refer to Daily Express article that hypes Craig Gordon ex Sunderland.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/What-The-Papers-Say/2011/Jan/Papers-Going-for-Gordon.aspx
Foster blunders again: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=310131&cc=4716