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Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he wanted Manuel Neuer as goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar's successor instead of David de Gea - but is glad he was persuaded to change his mind.

When Van der Sar announced in February 2011 he would retire at the end of the season, the Reds' search for a new No.1 intensified.

Atletico Madrid's youngster De Gea was already in then United goalkeeper coach Eric Steel's dossier on candidates.

But Schalke's 25-year-old Neuer was Fergie's choice. Steele, however, won the argument.

“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,” recalled Sir Alex.

“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'.

“I said ‘that’s a statement’.

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“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.”

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In the summer of 2011 United paid £20m for the 20-year-old Spaniard while the German, who went on to win the 2014 World Cup, moved to Bayern Munich the same summer.

De Gea initially had a fraught time at Old Trafford but is now among the world's best.

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