Schalke 04 goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was praised by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson despite conceding two goals in two minutes during Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League semi-final second leg defeat.

Neuer announced last week he will leave the club he joined as a boy at the end of the season with Bayern expressing firm interest and media reports linking United with the in-form Germany [ Images ] keeper with Edwin van der Sar [ Images ] retiring in May.

Asked if he would make a bid for Neuer or whether a Bayern move had already been sealed, Ferguson told Sky Sports: "I think we know that (he will join Bayern), we know that for sure."

Bayern have already asked for a meeting to discuss signing Neuer, who local media say would cost 20 million euros ($29.25 million), and although that was turned down the Bavarians still hope the keeper will join them at the end of the season.

Neuer made a string of fine saves in the first half to keep dominant United at bay in Gelsenkirchen but was finally beaten in the 67th minute when Ryan Giggs [ Images ] put the ball through his legs and two minutes later he was beaten by Wayne Rooney's [ Images ] strike.

Although Ferguson was astounded by Neuer's overall showing he looks poised to go shopping elsewhere for a new goalkeeper with the likes of Atletico Madrid's David De Gea in the frame.

"When (Javier) Hernandez scored and he was offside I think that told the players they could beat this keeper," Ferguson joked of the Mexican's disallowed effort at 0-0 when United, now almost sure of a place in the final, were rampant.

Ferguson later told reporters: "I think in my time at United this was the finest display of goalkeeping against us. I'm sure there were other feats but tonight we saw a very good one."