Manchester United interested in keeper Neuer

(GETTY IMAGES)

Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly targeted Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer as his favoured successor to Edwin van der Sar.

The news will come as a blow to Ben Foster, the Manchester United No. 2, whom it appears has not done enough to convince his manager that he is ready for a permanent place in the side.

Ferguson has been linked with numerous stoppers over recent weeks, including CSKA Moscow's Russia number one Igor Akinfeev and Bayer Leverkusen's Rene Adler, but appears to have settled on Neuer.

Yet Ferguson's chances of prising the young German away from his home-town club could be slim. Sources in Germany suggest the 23-year-old will be loath to leave Shalke should United come knocking.

Bayern Munich made a bid for Neuer during the summer, but gave up believing Shalke would never sell their star asset. With van der Sar due to retire at the end of the season, Ferguson will need all his powers of persuasion to bring the keeper to Old Trafford.