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Image: Bundesliga.de

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Schalke stopper Manuel Neuer, with a view to wrapping up a £5m deal before Bayern Munich increase their bid.

Bayern have long been linked with Neuer who is one of the stand-out young goalkeepers in world football and was hugely impressive in the Under-21 European Championship earlier this summer, but Fergie is also keen to bring in the "new Peter Schmeichel."

The 23-year-old has come through the ranks at Schalke where he made his debut during the 2006-2007 season and, despite some high-profile mistakes, has sealed his first-team place at the German side over the past three years.

New Schalke boss Felix Magath has admitted that he is aware of mounting interest in the young shot-stopper, although would not talk about any potential transfer.

"I have heard Manchester United would be interested in signing Manuel Neuer," he told Die Welt.

"But for as long as I don't receive a concrete approach, I will not make any statement about this."


[ESPN]

Germany's Under 21 has celebrated their first win under new coach Rainer Adrion and finished third at the Lobanovskiy Memorial in Ukraine. In Borodjanka it was Änis Ben-Hatira of Bundesliga side Hamburger SV, who scored the decisive goal three minutes from time to secure the 1-0 win against Iran.

After losing the semifinal in Adrion's debut against Turkey (1-3) one day earlier, the DFB coach fielded a completely different German side, including debutants Sven Ulreich and Roman Neustädter.

After controlling the match for most of the first half, Turkish referee Tolga showed the Red Card to goalkeeper Ulreich after 44 minutes for a professional foul, conceding a penalty to the Iranians thereafter. But Mohamad sent the ball over the crossbar.


[DFB.de]

Germany took a decisive step nearer the 2010 World Cup finals with a 2-0 win in Azerbaijan to open up a four-point gap at the top of European qualifying group four.

Goals early in each half from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose sealed victory for Joachim Loew's side, who have played a game more than closest rivals Russia.

Germany's trip to face Russia in Moscow on October 10 is likely to decide who tops the group, but Wednesday's win gives the Germans breathing space as they retained their unbeaten record in qualifying.

Loew was able to call on the services of captain Michael Ballack, who had been an injury doubt, and his team took just 12 minutes to get on the scoresheet.

Bayern Munich star Schweinsteiger picked up the ball just outside the penalty area and blasted home a long-range shot.

Minnows Azerbaijan could create little threat and Germany doubled their lead just after the break when Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez smashed a shot at the Azerbaijan goalkeeper Farhad Veliyev and Klose headed the rebound into the empty net.

It made up for his first-half miss when the Bayern Munich stalwart drove his header over the bar with an empty net at his mercy.


[CNN]

VfL Bochum gained a precious point on Sunday, when the came back from three goals behind to draw 3-3 against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Schalke 04 started into the season with a 2-1 victory at 1. FC Nürnberg, while DFB Cup winners Werder Bremen fell 2-3 to Eintracht Frankfurt. 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern München drew 1-1 later on Saturday in the evening match. The new Bundesliga opened on Friday with Champion VfL Wolfsburg beating VfB Stuttgart 2-0.

The fixtures of Round 1

The match on Friday (8.30 pm)

VfL Wolfsburg - VfB Stuttgart 2-0 (0-0)

The matches on Saturday (3.30/6.30 pm)

Borussia Dortmund - 1. FC Köln 1-0 (0-0)
1. FC Nürnberg - Schalke 04 1-2 (0-1)
Werder Bremen - Eintracht Frankfurt 2-3 (2-2)
Hertha BSC Berlin - Hannover 96 1-0 (0-0)
FSV Mainz 05 - Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 (1-2)
1899 Hoffenheim - Bayern München 1-1 (1-1)

The matches on Sunday (3.30/5.30 pm)

VfL Bochum - Bor. Mönchengladbach 3-3 (0-3)
SC Freiburg - Hamburger SV 1-1 (0-1)


[DFB.de]