Manchester United have progressed into the Champions League after upsetting Schalke 04 4-1 on Old Wednesday night at the Old Trafford. A double from Anderson allowed the Devils to get a 6-1 aggregate over the Germans, who were playing their first semi final. Valencia opened the score in the first half, while Jurado brought Schalke the consolation in the 35th minute. The first three goals have been scored within nine minutes, while Anderson needed just four minutes to complete his double.
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Schalke got their first chance in the eighth minute. Farfan finished an individual exquisite with a shot well wide as United seemed to be in trouble from the very beginning. Manchester broke back five minutes later, Berbatov’s strike hitting Neuer in what should have been a more difficult test for the keeper, if not a first lead for the home side. Alex Ferguson’s side then opened the score through Valencia. A tremendous 20-yard pass found the right midfielder on the edge of the box, beating Neuer into the far post. Schalke broke back through Raul, but the Spaniard’s header was saved by Van der Sar.
The 32nd minute brought even a two-goal lead for the hosts. United won a corner on the right which they took it short. A three-man combination ended with a superb shot from Gibson. The midfielder was picked on the edge of the box only to fire straight to Neuer who failed to hold the ball. Three minutes later, Schalke cut the deficit to one goal. Jurado thundered a lovely shot past the Dutch keeper from 16 yards out after the United defence failed to make a decent clearance.
The next minutes brought the hosts three straight yellow cards. Gibson, Scholes and Anderson have been punished for clumsy interventions. United led the Germans 2-1 at the half time as Ralf Rangnick’s side were condemned to score three more goals to stay in touch. Farfan was the first to trouble Van der Sar in the second part. Jurado picked the Spanish veteran in good position who also played the striker whose finish was deflected standswards. Schalke got their first yellow card in the 59th minute. Escudero took down Scholes to face his first caution.
Anderson made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute. Nani beat two defenders on the right to penetrate the box and play him seven yards out. Anderson missed the first touch, but converted the second one. He completed his double just four minutes later. Berbatov picked the midfielder on the left to put it home past Neuer. United won and have made the progress into the last term. The final will take place on May 28 on Wembley, London.
Manchester United – Van der Sar; O’Shea, Evans, Smalling, Rafael; Scholes, Gibson, Anderson; Nani, Valencia; Berbatov. Reserves: N. Vidic, J. Hernandez, R. Giggs, M. Owen, T. Kuszczak, P. Evra, D. Fletcher.
Schalke 04 – Neuer; Uchida, Howedes, Metzelder, Escudero; Jurado, Papadopoulos, Farfan, Baumjohann, Draxler; Raul. Reserves: Edu, M. Schober, L. Schmitz, J. Matip, H. Sarpei, K. Huntelaar, A. Karimi.
