Advertisement
Manchester United players train ahead of their Champions League semi-final, second leg against Schalke tonight. Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport
Crib sheet

Manchester United v Schalke: a quick study guide

The greatest side to every play the game™ await in the final for either United or Schalke. Here’s everything you need to know.

IT’S GONNA BE easy kids. We all know the answers right?

History

This is brief. United bossed Schalke last week recorded the easiest 2-0 win you will ever see at this stage of the competition.

It would have been far more if not for the incredible performance of Manuel Neuer.

Rumours are flying around that United are still trying to sign him and Old Trafford is set to give him a rapturous reception tonight in a bid to persuade him to join.

Alex Ferguson made a beeline for the big German last week and praised him to the hilt after the game. He is still set for Bayern though.

Maybe Fergie is just raising the price. Revenge for Owen Hargreaves.

Maths

Pretty easy. A 2-0 win for Schalke gives us extra-time. A 3-0 one gives them the tie and the chance to get thrashed by Barca.

Any goal from United rules out extra-time or penalties. So like last night if United score first, game over.

Economics

Pretty huge for each should they qualify. Schalke as outlined before are €200m in debt so the few quid they will get from the final would tie them over for the meantime.

United’s need is arguably greater. The Glazers need to fund new players and linebackers don’t come cheap people.

Drama

Nothing much happened last week but nothing much seemed to happen in the opening episode of The Wire either. We have to dig deeper.

Were the Germans lulling United into a false sense of security? Is it all a ruse by them to ensure United play Michael Owen and they will then instruct their defenders to defend, midfielders to run and strikers to take the odd shot.

All in the game yo.

Philosophy

In United’s case this will be influenced by the small matter of playing for the league title on Sunday against Chelsea. Sitting on a lead they will try to invite Schalke into their half and then pounce and ping shots at Neuer until he does a Gomes.

Schalke will surely attack. They have nothing to lose and should be relaxed in that knowledge. Hit one early doors and who knows? United have a habit of messing up semi-finals. UEFA would be so thrilled if it was a Schalke/Barca final.

Attendance

The line-ups will be difficult to obtain given Alex Ferguson’s desire to rotate. Any student, who gets the United team right, earns great respect.

Man United: Van Der Saar; O’Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Park; Berbatov, Owen.

Schalke: Neuer; Uchida, Metzelder, Howedes, Sarpei; Matip, Papadopolous, Farfan, Juardo; Edu, Raul

Further reading

Fergie is taking a gamble says the Guardian.

Ralf Raginack thinks Schalke need to improve ahead of their visit. You don’t say.

Rory Smith debates the merits of Michael Carrick.

Alex Ferguson believes Edwin Van Der Saar should retire at the top. Can’t go back on that De Gea deal.

101 goals bring you the highlights from the first leg. There’s Neuer, lots of Neuer.

Timetable

Niall’s on liveblog duty after he’s had his egg and chips. Tune in at seven.