Match Preview: United v Schalke 04 03/05/2011
Match Preview – Manchester United v FC Schalke 04 (Aggregate: 2-0) Competition: Champions League, Semi-Final (2nd Leg) Kick-Off & Date: 7:45pm, Wednesday, 4th May 2011 Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (Home) Live TV Coverage: ITV 1 (HD), 7:30pm – 10pm Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Assistant Referees: Tiago Trigo & Ricardo Santos Additional Assistant Referees: Joao Capela & Joao Ferreira Fourth Official: Duarte Gomes Form: United will be in search of only their 2nd win in 5 games in all competitions, dating back to the 1-0 FA Cup Semi-Final loss to Manchester City at Wembley. The Red Devils hold an impressive 2-0 aggregate scoreline thanks to Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney’s away goals. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team are hoping to recover from their poor showing in the 1-0 defeat at the Emirates to Arsenal, letting their grip loosen on the Barclays Premier League title. Schalke certainly won’t want a similar performance to the one that lost them the first leg at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Star man Raul Gonzalez was nowhere to be seen in the 2-0 loss, and manager Ralf Rangnick wasn’t best pleased by his side’s possessionless performance. The Royal Blues do have history on their side, having beat Inter Milan 5-2 at the San Siro in the Champions League Quarter-Finals ! The Injury Front: United are set to drop Wayne Rooney and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez from the starting line-up, with Rooney suffering from a tight hamstring. The decision could leave space for a Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen partnership. Fabio Da Silva will also miss-out through a slight knock, while Darren Fletcher is expected to play some part in the game. Anders Lindegaard has returned to training, but Owen Hargreaves is sidelined. Squad: Van Der Sar, Kuszczak, Lindegaard, Rafael, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Evans, Brown, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Gibson, Park, Giggs, Nani, Obertan, Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Chicharito. Schalke have sorted-out an EU Passport and Visa issue, which threatened five of their places from travelling to Manchester. With that problem out of the way, the German powerhouse are hoping defender Benedikt Howedes is fit after a stomach muscle injury. Schalke are also hoping midfielder Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will return against The Reds, following a two-month spell on the sidelines with a damaged medial ligament in his knee.
The Gaffer: Ralf Rangnick rejoined Schalke in March, following the dismissal of Felix Magath. Rangnick was hired by the Germans in 2004, where he led them to 2nd in the Bundesliga and runners-up in the DFB Cup. He was sacked in 2005, coming back to the club this year, where The Blues are in 10th position in the league… Most-Feared: Raul Gonzalez has dumped United out of the Champions League twice before with Real Madrid, scoring a handful of goals against The Red Devils. The 33-year-old Spanish striker joined Schalke from the Bernabeu last summer, and has scored 18 goals in 47 appearances this season alone… The Ref: Pedro Proenca takes charge of his second United game of the season, having overseen The Red Devils’s 1-1 draw with Valencia at Old Trafford in the Champions League group stages earlier this season. The Lisbon-born 40-year-old official has over 12 years experience in the Portuguese Liga… United Latest‘s Prediction: United 2-0 Schalke 04 – Dimitar Berbatov & Michael Owen ? Download United Latest From The App Store ! CommentsChris m Wed, 04 May 2011 8:06:31 am Kuszack Reno Wed, 04 May 2011 8:54:40 am Kuzczak, rafael,evra,evans,vidic, nani,scholes,carrick,park, owen,berbatov Brummie red Wed, 04 May 2011 8:56:22 am Bayern Munich keeper extends his contract at club !!! I’m being sceptical but could this mean something ??? borba Wed, 04 May 2011 9:17:53 am I don’t care how we do it but just get the job done Manchester United Bren Wed, 04 May 2011 9:22:29 am Team for tonite I’d say- Sean 123 Mufc Wed, 04 May 2011 12:31:19 pm fergie said yesterday Van der Sar should go out in a high to team that is saying i have already signed some one in David De Gae , we will win one nil toinght Owen to score Dor the devil Wed, 04 May 2011 1:03:38 pm We can win this game. Glory glory Man Utd Skemdevil Wed, 04 May 2011 3:04:35 pm Ticket prices up again!! The glazers drop prices with their yank teams and raise ours. Pricks, I heR their yank team the buccaneers are playing this year at wembly. I say that’s were we need to do a big protest and make sure the American sport networks make an issue of it. Jani Mufc Wed, 04 May 2011 3:07:49 pm we have to wish welcome to NEUER , and to show him what’s the honour and the glory to be the Mufc ‘s Goalkeeper he has to be fascinated MU Fan Forever Wed, 04 May 2011 4:28:29 pm Team for tonight: Quiggs. Wed, 04 May 2011 4:57:01 pm I’d play a 4-4-1-1 with Scholes sitting behind Berb carrick giggs nani gibson in middle making it a 5 man midfield when defending. All 5 have something to offer going forward too. Them vds with o’shea rio vidic evra just to keep it tight at the back Sheila Wed, 04 May 2011 4:59:04 pm Play how we did in first leg not how we played against arsenal MU Fan Forever Wed, 04 May 2011 6:15:10 pm Team for tonight: Sean 123 Mufc Wed, 04 May 2011 6:29:05 pm Exclusive: Agent confirms United and Chelsea interest in Aguero Sport.co.uk 12:34 Carl Wed, 04 May 2011 6:44:38 pm Really hope we don’t fuck up with that defence were Puttin out, it’s got me worried now!!!!!!! Malkster Wed, 04 May 2011 6:46:03 pm Confirmed line up for game: vds,rafael,smalling,Evans,o’shea PAC Wed, 04 May 2011 7:08:48 pm VDS,Rafeal,Smallin,Evans,O’Shea,Scholes,Ando,Gibson,Nani,Antonio,Berv – 9chnges 4rm 1st leg. Malkster Wed, 04 May 2011 7:11:49 pm On the bench : Owen , vidic,kuszczak ,evra,giggs,chicharito,fletcher Sheila Wed, 04 May 2011 7:39:46 pm Just seen team nervous Darrianinho Wed, 04 May 2011 7:43:41 pm Thought Owen would have got a start tonight would have been good for him but still a fairly strong side! Thinking 3-0 tonight! Luke Wed, 04 May 2011 7:43:53 pm United to win 2-0 Redmick442 Wed, 04 May 2011 7:48:14 pm Come on you reds lv utd Malkster Wed, 04 May 2011 8:14:54 pm Get the fuck in were going to wembley again !!! Malkster Wed, 04 May 2011 8:19:33 pm Are we sure we want to sign neaur Chris m Wed, 04 May 2011 8:21:33 pm Wers all gibsons critics now lol Sheila Wed, 04 May 2011 8:40:19 pm 4 .1 up half time surely it’s final for us !!!!!! Darrianinho Wed, 04 May 2011 8:44:10 pm Looks like it’s a game of two legs for neuer! Amazing in the first leg, very poor in this leg (so far) so I think we need a keeper with a bit more consistency then neuer to be honest Borba Wed, 04 May 2011 8:48:58 pm @Skdimdevil the bucs will not play in london because players are still on strick and locked out. The owners and players are in court about player wages so its looks like NFL season will not start. in time. The othere problem I see us as manchester united fans love our team to death. The American fans that support the bucs dont they flip flop between the mami dolphins and the bucs no real supports there in florida. borba Wed, 04 May 2011 8:56:35 pm pluse NFL games are better watched on tv than at the stadium. its fuken boring watching it at the stadium. Sheila Wed, 04 May 2011 9:34:37 pm Well done united . Carl Wed, 04 May 2011 9:50:43 pm WEMBLEY WEMBLEY. well done boys all of you played phenomenal now bring on chelsea. Well done sir alex for the choice of team with Chelsea in mind. It was practically a second team and we still tore them to shreds. Westy Wed, 04 May 2011 9:53:41 pm Couldnt of said it any better myself Carl. Wembley , wembley. Were the famous man utd and were going to wembley. We can do barca. Believe. We gotta BELIEVE. borba Wed, 04 May 2011 9:57:10 pm I love it when we play that attacking style of football we look unstoppable when we play like that. Arfaan11 Wed, 04 May 2011 10:03:07 pm Team selection justified,well playd Gibson n Anderson.probs th easiest semi fnl av ever seen us win,barely got outta 1st gear.nw let’s rip Chelsea apart gud n well.COME ON UTD Saqib Wed, 04 May 2011 10:04:08 pm bid slap 4 those who criticise gibson…… n i would love 2 see andreson in attacking midfielder role more often….. 2day he showed why he is dubbed as new ronaldinho…………….. The Dash Wed, 04 May 2011 11:40:54 pm Buzzin about making the final….. Nervous on playing Barcelona tho….. They are awesome!! Some of the youngsters did well tonight…. And I loved seeing Anderson scoring, he normally chokes!! Quality tonight!! Loved it!! borba Wed, 04 May 2011 11:46:43 pm even tho dimitar didn’t score he played very well Malay love Thu, 05 May 2011 1:42:52 am Anderson was great tonight, from his runs to his shooting. Besides the 2 goals he did have other attempts, one of which was saved well. Good to see his finishing has improved, but he could work on his celebrations! He could help fill the attacking mid gap which we currently lack, and I’m sure he will turn out to be a great player over the years, seeing as he is still very young. Malay love Thu, 05 May 2011 1:49:40 am Also a poor performance from neuer shows his inconsistency. Can’t say i’ve seen much of neuer, but al hasbi puts in a much better performance every week in comparison to his performance tonight. farhan Thu, 05 May 2011 2:52:17 am cant believe i would ever say this but, 1 clever through ball for a brilliant assist on the 1st goal, n a goal for himself that was smacked hard til it embarrassed the brilliant neur,it shows gibson can be good is he really put his heart into it.,, i hope he maintain this form. Ranks Thu, 05 May 2011 6:31:00 am Gibson did well tonight playing that killer through ball and helped for his goal by Gomes, I mean Neuer in nets. Great performance (by everyone) against a weak opposition, I hope he keeps it up till the end of the season though I’m still not convinced about him, but let’s concentrate on the positive, we’re off to Wembley, now let’s destroy Chelsea once and for all. BELIEVE! Mansoor Thu, 05 May 2011 7:54:44 am Great feeling being in the FINAL, 3 out of last 4 not bad hey. Chopper Thu, 05 May 2011 10:18:57 am Lets not get to carried away we beat a poor team Bren Thu, 05 May 2011 10:55:45 am Shalke were a poor team in sayin that the team we put out did really well – Gibson and Anderson in particular were good- but Barca are a completely different animal with about 8 players that can really hurt ya- and Messi is the best player on the planet. I think the only way to beat them if any is to have there fullbacks runnin the other way chasin nani and Valencia then how do u stop messi – a fit fletcher is important and I’d play giggs in midfield Dubstep Thu, 05 May 2011 12:02:04 pm Great performance from the b squad Jack Thu, 05 May 2011 12:19:46 pm I think the way we play now is perfect, that whole counter attack by mourinho really showed barca’s weakness and in all honesty, united do rly well at counter attacking too. A huge obstacle to overcome but im sure United can do it! Cos we’re United and we’re going to WEMBLEY!!!! Sean 123 Mufc Thu, 05 May 2011 1:19:12 pm Wembley Wembley where famous man united and where going to Wembley. get in there . now beat Chelsea and we can relax for two weeks before the final Bishop Blades i am going for the final UNITED UNITED UNITED Paolo76 Thu, 05 May 2011 4:24:20 pm So still want NEURE in goal? more like maneure performance apart from a couple of good saves in second half. Maybe this is why he wants to stay in Germany with batern? Gibson was great in the middle and Anderson coming Upto full fitness just breezes through the middle, carrick must fear for his place in final. It’s all boiling up nicely for last few games and competition for places, as there’s almost two players per position! My final team would see Leave a Reply |  
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