Sir Alex Wants Stekelenberg at Man United

Rene Meulensteen, the Manchester United first team coach has reportedly stated that the Dutch goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg is top of Sir Alex Ferguson's transfer target list for the summer as they look to replace the retiring Edwin van der sar.

United have been linked to several goalkeepers including David de Gea, Manuel Neur and even Liverpool's Pepe Reina, but according to Meulensteen, Stekelenburg is the priority:

"Stekelenburg is indeed a keeper who is at the top of our wanted list,"

"We naturally talk a lot among ourselves about who should replace Van der Sar. Alex Ferguson has spoken about Stekelenburg with Edwin, and that does not seem strange to me at all."

After having so much trouble in finding a replacement for Peter Schmeichel after he left United, Ferguson is understandably eager to sign a goalkeeper similar to his most recent successful buy, van der sar.

Stekelenburg and Van der Sar both began their career at Ajax - the club where Stekelenburg currently plays with around 186 appearances. During the 2006 World Cup, Stekelenburg was the understudy to Van der Sar while in the 2010 World Cup, Stekelenburg was the number one goalkeeper, and helped his country get to the final - conceding only five goals in the process. He did unfortunately end up on the losing side.
They also both have a large frame - with Van der Sar standing at 6 foot 6 inches, while Stekelenburg stands at 6 foot five and a half.

Despite the signing of Danish keeper Anders Lindegaard, Ferguson is looking for a proven, top quality, goalkeeper with experience in big competitions such as the Champions League. He has a pool of talent to choose from, and he will certainly do his best to get his decision right as he tries to avoid a repeat of the last time their number one left.

Kuszczak Wants to Play - Or Leave United

It looks like Manchester United will definitely be looking for a new goalkeeper this summer after their number two keeper said that he will leave Old Trafford if he isn't made the first choice after van der sar retires.

United have already signed Anders Lindegaard from Norwegian club Aaeslund, and the Danish international will officially join this month. However, Sir Alex Ferguson has been linked to a number of other goalkeepers to replace Edwin van der sar in the United goal, including Maarten Stekelenburg, Manuel Neur and David de Gea, with at least one of them sure to join the Red Devils. Therefore, Tomasz Kuszczak will find it increasingly hard to gain a first team spot at all.

The Polish keeper said:

"Of course I would like regular football. I need to see what the boss wants to do, whether he wants to play me or sell me. But definitely I want to play."

"Every player has his ambitions and I have mine. I have sat on the bench for five years and I need a chance to play more than one game in two or three months. You can’t prove anything like that."

It must be frustrating to see new players coming in and taking a place that you have worked for and waited for for so long - five and a half year in Kuszczak's case, and with only 22 appearances in his time at the club, his patience is obviously wearing thin. The 28 year-old started his first game this season in a rare occasion against his former club, West Brom, but the occasional starts here and there, sometimes in the Carling Cup or F.A Cup will not be enough to persuade him to stay, especially with young Ben Amos coming through the ranks.

His career isn't looking very stable at United, and his departure would guarantee Ferguson going into the market for a new goalkeeper.