Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United can make history at Schalke, Sir Alex Ferguson tells his stars
Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged his players to put Manchester United on course to join the greats of European football and end his German jinx. [LNB]The United manager desperately wants his club to conquer Europe for the fourth time but finds his path to next month's Champions League final at Wembley blocked by underdogs Schalke. [LNB]Ferguson's side have failed on all four occasions they have come up against German opposition in a knock-out tie over two legs. He warned his players that they have fallen behind in their bid to emulate Europe's most decorated clubs.[LNB] Relaxed: Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney get acquainted with the Veltins-Arena[LNB]He said: 'I think it's where we should be. My expectation has always been high in regards to the European scene, but we do get envious of the records of other clubs. [LNB]'We look at the record of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Ajax, Bayern Munich and Liverpool and we are trying to get parity with that. We really need to progress quickly to get to that level.'[LNB]United's appearance in a fourth Champions League semi-final in five years contrasts starkly with Schalke, who are at this stage of the competition for the first time. [LNB]Ferguson still admitted to nerves butinsisted his Premier League leaders will not understimate a team who stunned holders Inter Milan in the last round and still hold a 100 per cent home record in the competition this season. [LNB] Last time out: Wayne Rooney gave United the perfect start in Germany, putting Sir Alex Ferguson's side ahead against Bayern Munich after 66 seconds[LNB]He said: 'There is no way Manchester United are going to be led into believing that this is easy. I think you always get apprehensive at this stage of the competition. You go through this gamut of emotions when you get to these semi-finals because they are never easy. [LNB]'But what you have seen is that this team will not give in. Absolutely no chance.' [LNB]England striker Wayne Rooney returns to Gelsenkirchen for the first time since his infamous sending-off for stamping on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final.[LNB] Putting his foot down: Portugal's Petit (right) appeals after Rooney's stamp on Ricardo Carvalho[LNB]Both managers dismissed it as a factor, but Ferguson believes Rooney is on top form again after a difficult spell dating back to the ankle injury he suffered against Bayern Munich in Germany last season. [LNB]'I didn't know the sending-off was in Gelsenkirchen,' said the United boss. [LNB]'But it's normal for any footballer to put bad moments behind you. I think Wayne, more than anyone, realises that performances are the thing that he will always be judged on because there is an expectation of the boy. You see that he has stepped up to the mark for that and proved himself entirely.' [LNB] Dangerous opponents: Schalke crushed holders Inter Milan to set up a last four clash with United[LNB]Schalke boss Ralf Rangnick urged his team to seize what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and claimed their inexperience at this level might actually work in their favour. [LNB]'I don't know how many of our players will have a chance to play in a game like this again,' said Rangnick. [LNB]'But maybe the fact that we're a little bit inexperienced means that we're a really hungry team and have a real passion. We know we're not favourites but it was the same against Inter.' [LNB]As Ferguson knows, Schalke won that tie 7-3 on aggregate.[LNB] United sense their European destiny ahead of Schalke clash for Wembley final spotMan United? It's a beautiful club... Sneijder flirts with Fergie over switchRaul dossier: How can Manchester United keep the Champions League's all-time top scorer quiet?As Fergie heads for seventh semi-final, what about the previous six?Twitter hate mail forces Gibson off the network two hours after joiningAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney Places: Liverpool, Portugal, Germany, United Kingdom, Europe
