On their way to Wembley
Ryan Giggs and the outstanding Wayne Rooney scored United’s goals in a three-minute second-half spell in the semi-final first leg at the Vetlins-Arena.
Prior to that, though, Alex Ferguson’s men had wasted an astonishing 13 chances to score — 11 of them coming before the break.
It left Schalke needing a three-goal triumph to progress to a meeting with either Real Madrid or Barcelona. On this evidence, United have absolutely nothing to worry about.
“Our concentration, intensity and speed of passing was excellent,” Ferguson said.
“We had less chances in the second half but were more dangerous, when Chicharito scored and it was offside it told the players they could beat the goalkeeper.”
“The continuity of selection in these games gives us good experience and work-rate and I have good options with the likes of Nani, Scholes and Anderson. We have selection problems now but that is what we want.
“Depending on the result on Sunday (at Arsenal) I could make two or three changes because we play Chelsea the following weekend.
“Juventus (1999) will always be high on the list (of great performances) but this certainly ranks as one of the best.”
And for Rooney in particular, a fifth European Cup final for the Red Devils — on the ground where they won their first in 1968 — means personal redemption, having returned to the Gelsenkirchen arena where he was sent off on his last visit for England, to produce a performance that confirmed his renaissance.
As United trudged in at half-time, they cannot have known whether to laugh or cry. Their pace, power and precision was simply too much for Schalke, who were opened up with a regularity barely credible at this level of the game. Incredibly though, the score remained goalless.
Starting with a Rooney effort that flicked off Atsuto Uchida and forced Manuel Neuer into the first of a series of magnificent saves, and ending with a last-minute opportunity when Giggs raced onto a Rooney through-ball and failed to beat the Germany number one, United created 11 clear chances. “Neuer was incredible. Probably one of the best performances of a goalkeeper I saw in the games I’ve been involved,” said Ferguson.
Park Ji-sung had two opportunities charged down, Giggs was denied by Neuer twice and Fabio flashed a half-volley over. By far the worst culprit was Javier Hernandez.
Lauded to the skies in recent weeks after a series of timely interventions which have sent United surging towards a record 19th league title, the Mexican was too much for Schalke’s beleaguered defence.
For once, though, the 22-year-old had left his shooting boots at home.
Whether he was being set up by Antonio Valencia, outstanding on the right wing, Rooney or Park, Hernandez just could not find the target.
Partly it was his fault as shots flew wide of the Schalke goal, while on other occasions Neuer was in the way.
It appears the Germany keeper is on his way to Bayern Munich this summer, which for United is a pity, because on this evidence he would be a worthy successor to the retiring Edwin van der Sar.
On a record-equalling 13th semi-final appearance, Van der Sar was a virtual bystander once he had made a couple of early stops to deny Jefferson Farfan.
Worryingly for Ferguson, the profligacy just continued after the restart.
Neuer denied Michael Carrick with a brilliant fingertip save but, when the Schalke defence opened up for Giggs shortly afterwards, the Welshman’s effort with his weaker right foot was woeful.
Thankfully for Ferguson and his team, the frustration ended.
Rooney was the architect, threading a fine ball through to Giggs who, with his left foot, calmly slotted home, becoming the oldest ever Champions League scorer.
Within three minutes, United had another chance as Hernandez set up Rooney. From 10 yards and in a similar position to Giggs, he bagged his 14th goal of the season.
Ferguson’s introduced Anderson and Scholes to shore up the midfield and it worked, allowing United to stroll home and let their minds wander towards Sunday’s trip to Arsenal.
Ryan Giggs insisted the players were confident they would be able to find a goal. “We knew that if we kept creating chances one would go in and hopefully I would get one on my left foot rather than my right,” he said.
Subs for United: Scholes for Park, 73; Anderson for Hernandez, 73. Nani for Rooney 83.
Subs for Schalke: Kluge for Baumjohann 53; Escudero for Sarpei 72; Draxler for Jurado 82.
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