Schalke Vs Manchester United Preview

With one hand on a record 19th title, Manchester United now travel to Germany for phase two of their mission to land a domestic-Champions League double.

The FA Cup blip against Manchester City already seems a distant memory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, who are two wins away from winning the Premier League.

Yet while even Schalke manager Ralf Rangnick accepts that United start this tie as firm favourites to book a blockbuster Wembley date against Barcelona or Real Madrid on May 28, history is on the side of the German side. Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund have both knocked Ferguson’s team out of the competition at this stage, while Bayern Munich overcame United in last-season’s quarter-finals.

But the Premier League leaders will be confident of overcoming Schalke over 180 minutes. The Germans qualified for the competition after finishing runners-up to Bayern Munich last season yet this has been a campaign to forget on the domestic front for Schalke.

While they have dazzled in Europe by overcoming the likes of Lyon, Benfica and Valencia, not forgetting their memorable 7-3 aggregate success over defending champions Inter Milan, they have failed to impress in the Bundesliga.

Indeed, they are closer to the relegation zone than the top, 29 points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund in 10th place.

But Ferguson will not take Schalke lightly and will be desperate to establish a first leg lead,
particularly as United’s European defensive record this season is better away from home than it is at Old Trafford.

Ferguson’s side are back to winning ways after the FA Cup hiccup, while they have yet to concede on their European travels this season. Since Ivica Olic scored in the 92nd minute for Bayern Munich 13 months ago, United have managed five successive clean sheets on the road against Valencia, Bursaspor, Rangers, Marseille and Chelsea. Schalke have failed to win since confirming their semi-final place, and head into this on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Kaiserslautern.

John O’Shea insists United will not be lured into a false sense of security by Schalke’s poor domestic form.  But the Republic of Ireland international insists it is important Ferguson’s team flex their muscles in Gelsenkirchen and show why they are one of the most feared teams in Europe.

O'Shea hopes he can pick up the Champions League trophy once more

“I wouldn’t say we are pleased with the draw,” said O’Shea, who is expected to start at right back. “Schalke have reached a Champions League semi-final. They have got to be a good team.

“We are favourites, which adds a bit of pressure but any side who can score so many goals against Inter Milan has to have something about them.” O’Shea said it is vital United impose themselves from the start as they chase a third Champions League triumph in 12 years.

“We have to make sure we show them our history, why we have got to finals, why we have won them, why we have been in this situation many times before,” he added.

“We have to impose ourselves whilst understanding the threats they have, which we will have to cope with.”

Dimitar Berbatov failed to make the flight to Germany, a groin injury the reason given for missing the trip. However, the absence of the Premier League’s leading scorer is not as big a blow as sounds as it is arguable whether he would have started because of Hernandez’s current form. Darren Fletcher is still to return to full fitness after a virus.

Defender Christoph Metzelder says he is happy to be facing United after admitting their style is easier to combat than Barcelona’s. Metzelder believes the Germans would have struggled to cope with Barcelona’s slick, one-touch passing. But the former Real Madrid player still believes United are favourites because of their experience at this stage of the competition.

“I think we are underdogs, yes,” said Metzelder. “United have so much experience in the Champions League, playing quarter-finals or semi-finals every year.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.