---
title: "Man United legend reveals he want world-class stopper ahead of De Gea"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/man-united-legend-reveals-he-want-world-class-stopper-ahead-of-de-gea/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Josh Challies"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2016-04-05T17:45:03Z"
modified: "2016-04-05T17:45:03Z"
---

# Man United legend reveals he want world-class stopper ahead of De Gea

![De Gea](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/De-Gea-500x327.jpg)Eyebrows have been raised in the Transfer Tavern today following a statement from a Manchester United legend, as he indicates he didn’t want to sign the club’s current top star.

[*The Manchester Evening News*](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-ferguson-gea-neuer-11136323)[quote](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-ferguson-gea-neuer-11136323) Sir Alex Ferguson as revealing he wanted to sign Manuel Neuer from Schalke ahead of David De Gea, who the Red Devils signed in the end.

> “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’.”
>
> “Eric and I went out to watch him (De Gea) against Valencia away, and the things he’d been speaking about – his agility, his confidence, his speed – were evident. And Eric had been building a relationship with his parents, and was so adamant, that I had to trust him – and I’m glad I did, because he was right.”

In the end, De Gea was a quality purchase from United but some fans will be disappointed to hear that World Cup winner Manuel Neuer could have been in the Premier League! Ultimately though, he’s become a superstar at Bayern Munich instead.

**Man United fans, De Gea or Neuer? Let us know in the comments below!**