Schalke vs Kaiserslautern Preview

The Germany number one is expected to join rivals Bayern Munich in the summer after deciding not to commit his long-term future to the Royal Blues and he will have to face up to the fans' reaction.

"For many of the fans, this is certainly not a good moment," said Neuer, who himself supported Schalke from the terraces as a young boy.

"I know that they will be disappointed and sad with this decision.

"When I was stood on the terraces as a 10-year-old, maybe I would not have understood it either, but I am a professional footballer and can now see it from a different perspective.

"When I was a fan of Jens Lehmann back then, I did not jeer him for having played for Dortmund."

Neuer hopes from understanding from the Royal Blues' followers and that he does not get the reception he received from Bayern Munich fans when he played at the Allianz Arena earlier this season.

"It is certainly tougher to be jeered by your own family than it was back then from unknown people," he added.

Neuer now plans to leave with at least one trophy.

Schalke face Duisburg in the final of the DFB-Pokal next month and they host Manchester United in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

"I know from the atmosphere within the team that we definitely want to win the cup," he said.

"Not only for me but for the whole of Schalke, for every individual player, for the team and for the club - we want this cup at all costs."

They have to finish the Bundesliga season well too, although they are too far away from the top five to qualify for Europe and clear of the relegation zone, leaving them with little motivation for the visit of Kaiserslautern.

The Red Devils will be full of motivation, on the other hand.

"We still need points, but we are convinced that we will do it," said their coach Marco Kurz.

"We have got to play a great game tomorrow to deserve the points, but that is possible."