Man Utd Turn to Fourth Choice Option for keeper
-
Manchester United have opened talks with Sporting Lisbon for £10million-rated keeper Rui Patricio.
Sir Alex Ferguson is in the market for a new No 1 after 40-year-old Edwin van der Sar refused to perform a U-turn on his summer retirement plans.
And Fergie has now set his sights on Portuguese star Patricio after missing out on a host of other targets.
First-choice Manuel Neuer has snubbed the Premier League leaders for Bayern Munich after announcing his intention to quit United’s Champions League semi-final opponents Schalke this summer.
Atletico Madrid shot-stopper David De Gea has made it clear he is reluctant to leave Spain, even though United were willing to meet the £18m asking price for the 20-year-old.
United have told the Portuguese club that they only rate Patricio at around £6million.
SOURCE: Daily Mirror
Rui Patricio is one of the most consistent performers in Europe but is still a relative unknown outside his native Portugal and it appears that Sir Alex Ferguson is planning a move for the Sporting Lisbon man mainly because his three main targets appear reticent to leave their respective clubs.
Sir Alex Ferguson appeared very keen on Atletico Madrid keeper David De Gea, Schalke and Germany custodian Manuel Neuer and Liverpool goalie Pepe Reina but all three appear to be staying put rather than looking to replace Edwin Van der Sar at Old Trafford.
The Man United boss seems unlikely to promote long term understudy Tomasz Kuszczak and new signing Anders Lindegaard to be a back up and a move for Rui Patricio may well be a sensible, if unspectacular, one. Despite Sporting Lisbon falling out of the title race they are still considered one of the best teams defensively speaking and that has a lot to do with the 24 year old who has racked up over 150 appearances for the club.
Letgetlive.com - Your Daily football updates