German jinx is well and truly laid to rest

IT WAS billed as Giggs against Raul and Rooney against his demons; and in keeping with a one-sided tie both United players were runaway winners on a night when the Red Devils’ German jinx was brushed aside with quality and aplomb.

Giggs, making a British record 140th European appearance, is a quite remarkable footballer and even up against 71-goal Raul, the top scorer ever in the Champions League, Giggs continued his dominance of a competition that has already seen him marked out as United’s most important players this season, no matter what his age.

It was Giggs’ quality from a new midfield role that was the difference in the quarter-final against Chelsea, providing two crucial assists and reminding Carlo Ancelotti that no-one in west London is capable of linking midfield and attack in the style of the wily 37-year-old; and it was Giggs who made the difference last night in Gelsenkirchen, too.

The veteran had already seen three or four opportunities come and go when his movement and skill eventually broke the deadlock after 67 minutes, just as it seemed United’s dominance would not be rewarded.

The 26th Champions League goal of his career made him the oldest player ever to score in the competition, and also left Raul’s dream of winning a fourth European crown all but over; especially when Rooney’s well-taken effort a couple of minutes later sealed a convincing and dominant victory.

Giggs, of course, can draw level with Raul’s total of three European Cups if he leads his team to victory at Wembley this year, and given he has no current plans to retire, there is every chance he may eventually be regarded as the tournament’s greatest ever player.

There were other outstanding performers against Schalke too, not least Michael Carrick who dominated midfield and Rooney whose passing from a role behind Javier Hernandez unpicked the home defence time and time again.

The striker had good reason to fear this game as he returned to the ground where he was sent off for England against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup Finals and took on a German club side for the first time since injury ended his campaign at Bayern in Munich last year.

Rooney also suffered a World Cup exit at the hands of the German national team in South Africa, of course, so this performance may well have extra meaning for a player looking back to his best.

“I think we played very well tonight and we’re a bit disappointed we didn’t take more of our chances. But it’s a good win for us and we have to try and be professional and finish the job off at home,” he said.

However, it is also worth noting that on the day that Edwin van der Sar, in a pre-match interview, gave Manchester United fans hope he may postpone his impending retirement date, the evening was almost stolen by his opposite number.

Schalke’s Manuel Neuer was outstanding in the opening half and it is not an exaggeration to say United could have won this game 6-0 had it not been for the saves and presence of the 25-year-old.

Not until Giggs tucked a shot between his legs did the German finally give up hope of keeping a clean sheet.

If as has been suggested, United have already missed out on the keeper who is widely tipped to join Bayern Munich this summer, then you have to wonder how they let it happen; but thankfully that was not the real story of night.

Instead, the focus is on the prospect of United beating a German side in a two-legged European tie for the first time in six attempts and on the chances of Giggs making yet more history at Wembley on May 28. Just like 1999, just like 2008, it looks to be his competition.