United target Neuer admits he could leave Schalke

Manchester United target Manuel Neuer said Wednesday he needs Champions League football to fulfill his dream of making the Germany Number One shirt his own, even if that means leaving Schalke 04.

Neuer’s agent revealed this month his client has been courted by United, but with two caps to his name the 23-year-old admits: “I can only realise my goal of permanently being the national goalkeeper if I play Champions League football.”

“That is clear and everyone thinks about his career including me,” Neuer, who is valued at around 13 million euros (19m US dollars), told German magazine Sport-Bild.

While United are keeping an eye on Neuer, the Royal Blues’ goalkeeper says he hopes he can win Germany’s Number One shirt for next year’s World Cup, but first Schalke must qualify for the Champions League.

“I hope that we can do it with Schalke,” said Neuer with his side second in the Bundesliga behind leaders Leverkusen.

“If things continue developing the way they have done this season, that is possible.

“And if that is the case, then I will stay here for many years.”

Neuer was between the posts for Germany’s 2-2 draw with the Ivory Coast last month and he has no doubts he is amongst the top three goalkeepers in Germany.

“I know that I can become the best goalkeeper in Germany and, of course, my aim is to be in goal for the World Cup,” he said.

Neuer has been Schalke’s number one keeper since the autumn of 2007 and his current deal with the Bundesliga side expires in 2012.

He has been linked to a move to United whose regular goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, 39, missed the first 12 matches of United’s 2009-2010 campaign with a finger injury and could decide to hang up his gloves at the end of the season.