Just opening up in The Transfer Tavern as someone from Mirror Football tells us, that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer at Bundesliga side Schalke 04 “is being chased” by European giants Manchester United and Barcelona.

The tabloid claiming 23-year-old Neuer is regarded as the best young keeper in Europe, with Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson set to increase his efforts to bring a new goalie to the Premier League champions as Edwin van der Sar nears retirement.

England International Ben Foster is said to be the heir apparent to the Dutch custodian at Old Trafford, but the Schalke stopper is also on the radar of Ferguson.

Ferguson has ruled out any further signings this summer, with Barca reportedly ready to take advantage by making a bid to take Neuer to the Nou Camp. Coach Guardiola wanting the German International to provide stern competition for Blaugrana No1 Victor Valdes and has already made initial enquiries.

However, Schalke are claimed to want £12million to let Neuer leave the Veltins-Arena and are determined the keeper, who starred in the victorious Under-21 side in the European Championships this summer, will not leave Germany on the cheap.

What sort of liquid lubrication helped this one slide from pen to paper? Are United and Barca really chasing the German keeper? Should this rumour Fly or Die?

Goal.com: Nani, you have not started the season well but things are slowly picking up...

Nani: It was a shame losing the Community Shield against Chelsea, but I think we played well that day and had more chances than them. It would have been good to start the season winning a title, but it was not meant to be.

Goal.com: All eyes are on you after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the team also lost an important player in Carlos Tevez. What do you make of that?

Nani: We need to show that we are not dependent on Tevez and Ronaldo. This summer we have taken that step and are now ready to prove ourselves.

Goal.com: What will change with their absence? Will there be a new approach to your game or will the tactics remain the same?

Nani: I don't have to change the way I play, but the tactics are up to the manager [Sir Alex Ferguson]. Nobody can deny the quality of Cristiano and Tevez, but they are history for us and now the club has begun a new stage without them.

Goal.com: United's two main competitors, Chelsea and Liverpool, are looking stronger than last year. Are you still favourites to win the league title?

Nani: Yes, for me there is no doubt. We are still favourites to win the Premier League, although our rivals have improved over the summer. I am optimistic about this club.

Goal.com: What did Ferguson say in the locker room after it was confirmed that Cristiano was leaving to Real Madrid?

Nani: Ferguson does not speak of Cristiano Ronaldo during training. When we started the season he said Ronaldo was history for us and we were not going to crash without him.

Goal.com: In addition to losing Tevez and Ronaldo, United have also been dealt another blow by the injury of Edwin van der Sar. What do you make of that?

Nani: Van der Sar's injury comes at a bad time for the team, but I think [Ben] Foster has proven his quality in other games and can cover his position well.

Goal.com: Tell us about Wayne Rooney; now much of United's hopes are dependent on him in attack.

Nani: Rooney will be the key this year and I am convinced that he will score many goals. We are going to help him in the fight to become the Premier League's top scorer.

Goal.com: What can we expect from you? You have played 72 official matches for United since arriving two years ago, but this year your role seems more important.

Nani: I always offer my best in every game. Ferguson has spoken to me this summer and said he is confident in me. That gives me the strength to keep going.

Goal.com: What do you think of the comparisons between you and Ronaldo? You are both Portuguese and both played at Sporting Lisbon before coming to United.

Nani: I am not the new Ronaldo because we have different characteristics on the field, but nobody doubts that I can take the initiative to play well, and this will be my best year at United.

Goal.com: We talk about Chelsea and Liverpool, but what about Manchester City? Will they succeed with their expensive signings?

Nani: Manchester City have made many important signings this summer but that does not guarantee success. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal have not strengthened too much and have also lost some important players. I see the season ending up like last year, and we are prepared to follow up.

Goal.com: What about the national team? Do you think you will be stronger with Portugal this year?

Nani: I want to be with Portugal in the 2010 World Cup and for that I have to prove to [coach] Carlos Queiroz that I am earning pitch time as a starting player in the Premier League.

Wayne Rooney has expressed his desire to stay at Manchester United for the rest of his career.

With Christiano Ronaldo moving to Real Madrid for £80 million this summer, much is expected of Rooney this term and he has responded magnificently to his senior role with four league goals in as many games.

Rooney has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell since his arrival from Everton five years ago today, including three Premier League titles and the Champions League, and the England international striker cannot imagine plying his trade anywhere else.

He told The Daily Telegraph, "I've always said that I love this club and, as long as I'm wanted here, I'll play here. It's as simple as that.

"I can't see one reason why I should want to move to another club. I've get everything that I want here.

"My family are just 30 minutes away, I'm settled here and I honestly can't see me going anywhere else unless I'm told otherwise by the manager."

Rooney scored the penalty to level things up against Burnley before Abou Diaby headed into his own net to give the champions three vital points as they seek a fourth consecutive title.
"Nobody really knew who our penalty taker was [after Ronaldo left]," Rooney added. "We got one against Burnley and unfortunately Michael missed, but since that, I've said that I want to take penalties and thankfully I scored against Arsenal."

The 23 year-old knew just how important victory was following the Red Devils' stuttering start to the campaign.

He explained, "We had already lost once, so we really needed the win. It's great that we got it."

Highly respected American business magazine Forbes has valued Manchester United as the most valuable sports club in the world.

The Premier League champions are valued at $1.87 billion, according to Forbes which makes them more valuable than NFL team the Dallas Cowboys who are worth $1.65 billion.

Forbes also add that in the last year, the value of Manchester United has gone up by 4%.

Spanish giants Real Madrid come in second of the most valuable soccer brands on $1.35 billion.

Le Havre president Jean-Pierre Louvel has contacted Fifa about Manchester United's signing of Paul Pogba.

Chelsea were hit with an 18-month transfer embargo earlier this week following their illegal purchase of Gael Kakuka from Lens in 2007.

Le Havre were quick to praise Fifa for taking such a stance and threatened to report United for the way they approached teenage star Pogba.

World football's governing body announced on Friday they had yet to receive an official complaint from Le Havre but Louvel claims he has now submitted the case.

The French official hopes Fifa will come down just as hard on United as they did with the Blues.

"The player had a no-hire agreement, and so had to sign his first contract in France," Louvel told radio station France Info.

"But he didn't sign it because Manchester United contacted the parents and made astronomical and excessive financial propositions for a 15-year-old boy.

"We have submitted the case to Fifa. The letter to leave has not been agreed by the French Federation, so today Fifa has been referred.

"I hope we will get the same result (as the Gaël Kakuta case), which could justify to those clubs they can't do anything and they have rules to respect."

Fifa have yet to confirm receipt of the complaint, while United insisted on Friday they would challenge any case brought against them.

A report in The Sun today claims "Manchester United are eyeing Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev as they prepare for life after Edwin van der Sar. Manager Alex Ferguson has already started planning for the Dutchman's retirement - and CSKA Moscow's Akinfeev is one of his options."

The tabloid adds: "He has been on the radar of a number of Europe's top teams and Fergie does not want United to miss out."

This is the second top class young goalkeeper that United have been linked with in the last month following rumours that Sir Alex Ferguson was interested in Schalke’s Manuel Neuer.

Akinfeev, 23, has established himself as the first choice goalkeeper for Russia after breaking into the CSKA Moscow team in 2004. He has played 34 times for the national team and played the full 90 minutes in the 3-0 win over Liechtenstein on Saturday.

The 6.1ft custodian also played all five of Russia’s five matches at Euro 2008. IMScouting’s network of scouts in Russia describe Akinfeev as "self-confident but emotional. A great goalkeeper who has everything to play for a top club in Europe."

Video evidence of Igor Akinfeev in action can be seen on the video below.