Source: Daily_Mail
Champions League final: Manchester United's route to Wembley
Share[LNB]Manchester United meet Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday. Here's how the Reds reached this weekend's showpiece occasion.[LNB] GROUP STAGEManchester United 0 Rangers 0, September 14Rangers proved a stubborn defensive unit that United failed to break down at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney's return after tabloid allegations over his private life had seen him left out of the previous game, but he failed to inspire on his return.[LNB]Valencia 0 Manchester United 1, September 29The hosts dominated the game but were made to pay for their failure to create chances when Javier Hernandez struck a late winner. Two substitutes combined as Federico Macheda found the young Mexican forward who showed his early promise.[LNB] On target: Javier Hernandez scores United's late winner in Valencia[LNB]Manchester United 1 Bursaspor 0, October 20Nani's early wonder-strike gave a youthful United side victory. Sir Alex Ferguson's team included Chris Smalling, Macheda, Hernandez and Gabriel Obertan and they were never really troubled.[LNB]Bursaspor 0 Manchester United 3, November 2Bursaspor threatened during a first half during which Edwin van der Sar was by far the busier goalkeeper, but Ferguson's side took control after the break. Darren Fletcher slammed home shortly after the resumption before morale-boosting strikes for Obertan and Bebe.[LNB]Rangers 0 Manchester United 1, November 24Another defensive performance from Rangers nearly earned them a point at Ibrox, but a late Rooney winner gave United a cushion at the top of Group C. Rooney converted from the penalty spot after Fabio's run was halted unfairly by Steven Naismith.[LNB]Manchester United 1 Valencia 1, December 7United came from behind to ensure they finished ahead of Valencia at the top of the group. Pablo Hernandez profited from an aimless Michael Carrick pass to poke through the legs of stand-in goalkeeper Ben Amos. In the second half, Park Ji-sung's parried shot fell kindly for Anderson.[LNB] Reasons to be cheerful: Rooney celebrates his late winner[LNB]ROUND OF 16Marseille 0 Manchester United 0, February 23A tightly-fought round-of-16 first leg at the Stade Velodrome ended goalless with Fletcher spurning the best chance of the game when his snap-shot went wide.[LNB]Manchester United 2 Marseille 1, March 15Hernandez sealed his growing status as a fan favourite with two poacher's goals. 'Chicharito' first converted Rooney's pull-back and then Ryan Giggs' cross. Wes Brown's late own goal caused jitters, but United held on for the win.[LNB]QUARTER-FINALSChelsea 0 Manchester United 1, April 6A first-half Rooney goal, after a superb cut-back by Giggs, gave United control of their quarter-final against Chelsea, who were denied a strong claim for a penalty late on. It was United's first win at Stamford Bridge since 2002.[LNB] Manchester United 2 Chelsea 1, April 12The return leg at Old Trafford saw Giggs cause havoc again, although it was Hernandez who continued his knack of scoring a key goal from close range. Didier Drogba gave the visitors hope with a drilled low shot, but Park scored immediately from the resumption.[LNB] Priceless goal: Park scores against Chelsea to send United through to the semi-finals[LNB]SEMI-FINALSSchalke 0 Manchester United 2, April 26United were frustrated by the superb shot-stopping of Schalke's in-demand goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for just over an hour before Giggs finally broke the deadlock on 67 minutes. A second goal from Rooney followed two minutes later to all but end the contest before the second leg.[LNB]Manchester United 4 Schalke 1, May 4First-half goals from Antonio Valencia and Darron Gibson ensured a comfortable night. Jose Manuel Jurado at least got a goal for beleaguered Schalke, but the rout was completed by Anderson who scored his first-ever United double.[LNB] Deadlock broken: Ryan Giggs finally finds a way past Schalke's colossal keeper, Manuel Neuer[LNB] Countdown to Champions League final: Barcelona's route to WembleyAll roads lead to Wembley... The five previous finals in north London[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Federico Macheda, Ryan Giggs, Gabriel Obertan, Antonio Valencia, Edwin Van Der Sar, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney, Park Ji-sung, Bebe, Wes Brown, Nani Places: Barcelona
