Manchester United v Schalke live

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Champions League where Manchester United host Schalke in the second leg of their semi-final at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have a strong advantage after winning 2-0 in Germany and will be favourites to reach the Wembley final. Email me your thoughts on the game at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk Manchester United 4-1 Schalke (7.45pm) Aggregate: 6-1 Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva (Evra 60), Smalling, Evans, O'Shea, Gibson, Scholes (Fletcher 73), Anderson, Valencia, Berbatov (Owen 77), Nani.Subs: Kuszczak, Giggs, Hernandez, Vidic.Goals: Valencia 26, Gibson 31, Anderson 72.Schalke: Neuer, Uchida, Howedes (Huntelaar 70), Metzelder, Escudero, Papadopoulos, Jurado, Farfan (Matip 75), Baumjohann (Edu 46), Draxler, Raul.Subs: Schober, Sarpei, Schmitz, Karimi.Goals: Jurado 35.Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) 80min: Huntelaar is showing something though, just losing out in a race to the ball against Van der Sar who just manages to block anyway through for the striker for a shot.77min: And a final sub from United with Berbatov being replaced by Michael Owen.76min: GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 4-1 SchalkeWow they are feeling the loss of Howedes now. Berbatov manages to find space on the right and his simple low cross into the box is tapped home by an unmarked Anderson. Schalke not exactly going out with a flourish.75min: Final sub from Schalke who take off Farfan for Joel Matip.73min: Off comes the yellow carded Scholes who is replaced by long term absentee Darren Fletcher - good to see him back.72min: GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 3-1 SchalkeThat's put this tie to bed. Nani who has had a quiet evening cuts the ball back for Anderson inside the box who at the second attempt fires low past Neuer. Again suspect keeping from the German who appears to dive over it - why could he not play like this in South Africa.70min: I like Ralf Rangnick's thinking here. Off comes the centre-back on comes the big forward, as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar replaces Howedes.69min: Well bang goes my theory about playing it cautious. Evra seems to be limping a bit now.No such panic in the play, united are in complete control.66min: Fair play to Schalke, they are trying to force the issue here in possession, but United are just not letting them get a look in. Van der Sar has barely had a save to make.63min: Hard to believe this is a Champions League semi-final, quite a flat atmosphere inside the ground despite the Wembley chants going around.60min: Rafael appears to be struggling a little and Fergie is not taking any chances, bringing him off for Patrice Evra.58min: Escudero joins the yellow card list after a sneaky trip on Paul Scholes. No Mascherano-like tantrums in tonight's semi-final, this has been a good clean contest.55min: Top save from Neuer. Anderson's left foot curler is drifting away from the keeper into the top corner but he just manages to tip it behind. That is more like the Neuer we saw in the first leg.54min: No sign of this petering out. United play a tidy move that finds O'Shea in space on the left flank and his cross is turned behind for a corner. Schalke survive the set-piece though.51min: The visitors are giving it a go, Raul decides against a shot with his weaker foot, electing to knock it back to Farfan whose low effort is blocked for a corner.49min: Free-kick 30-yards-out for Schalke but oddly enough the short tap on the free-kick is reached by Scholes before Farfan can get a shot in.46min: One change to tell you about. Baumjohn has gone and is replaced by Edu, who will join Raul in attack.Second-half: Schalke get us going again. Light on the subject: Schalke fans light flares in the away end of Old Trafford20.45: In truth United have looked comfortable all half and I am surprised we have seen as many goals as we have.Worth pointing out at this stage is that we can now no longer go to extra-time. Schalke have to score at least thee more times or they are out.It's not even worse looking at other avenues at this stage.20.40: Schalke oddly seemed to believe much more after scoring that goal, but the truth is they are in a worse position at half-time than they were before the match. Still can't see them scoring three.Half-time: Manchester United 2-1 Schalke45min: Two minutes added on as Berbatov of all people clears a Raul free-kick inside the box, don't expect to see him back up the other end any time soon.44min: Schalke do seem more alert since scoring but no signs of panic from the home side who seem content to play simple short passes before half-time.41min: And that is not needed too, as Anderson slides in studs up on Baumjohann. No hesitation from Proenca to dish out a third yellow. Hope: Jose Manuel Jurado fires one back for Schalke38min: Another chance for Schalke after Gibson's sliding challenge 25-yards out on Sergio Escudero sees him give away a free-kick and get booked.Paul Scholes is also booked a few moments later for causing disruption in the wall before Farfan's effort hits Gibson and goes out for a corner.which United clear.37min: Nearly an instant response from United but after Valencia goes around Neuer his shot is cleared off the line by Benedikt Howedes.35min: GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 SCHALKENo humble pie from me just yet. Chris Smalling's careless play sees him lose the ball 30-yards out and after Schalke get the ball inside the box, it pinballs around for a few second before falling to Jose Manuel Jurado on the edge of the box who crashes home a delicious first time drive. Strike it lucky: Darron Gibson's shot forced Neuer into an error to double United's lead on the night31min: GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 SchalkeOh dear Neuer. Darron Gibson hits a fair enough effort from the edge of the box but it seems to simply bounce off the keeper on to the post and into the back of the net. Schalke need four to win. Good luck with that.28min: Half-chance for Schalke to respond but Raul's header across goal is easy meat for Van der Sar. Wembley bound: Valencia celebrates putting Manchester United into a 3-0 aggregate lead26min: GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 SchalkeLethal. Atsuto Uchida carelessly gives the ball away to Anderson in midfield who quickly gives the ball to Gibson.His through pass of 30-yards is perfect for Antonio Valencia who one-on-one with Neuer pokes the ball under the keeper. There that was much easier this week.25min: Another corner for United but Nani's cross is headed over by Smalling, not an easy chance though I have to admit.23min: Moments after Alexander Baumjohann is late in a sliding challenge on Nani, Kyriakos Papadopoulos is slightly too eager to get the ball of Valencia giving away a free-kick.Referee Pedro Proenca wisely just tells him to calm down. Schalke look fired up at least.22min: Slightly disappointed with Berbatov so far. He has had the ball to the left inside the box but wasted both chances to get a decent cross in. Reach out: Manchester United's Valencia (left) fights for the ball with Schalke's Sergio Escudero20min: Good stuff from Schalke, they look to switch the ball to the flanks in an attempt to open up United, creeping forward each time. United just getting a bit sucked in there but the centre-backs are up to it again managing to clear the danger.17min: Interesting tactic from Schalke so far is that they appear to have two men on Valencia.That Farfan chance aside, not too much to get the pulses racing.15min: Disciplined stuff from United, Schalke win a corner but it comes to nothing as Van der Sar comfortably takes a long ball pumped into the box.13min: After taking a breather for a couple of minutes Gibson is back on.11min: Delay in the game while Darron Gibson receives some treatment. He looks to have been winded himself after a sliding challenge on Farfan. He looks in much discomfort.10min: From OptaJoe:3 - Schalke have never won in England in European competition, losing on their last 3 visits, including 5-1 at Man City in 1970. Challenge.8min: There is the danger. Jefferson Farfan is allowed to run straight at the United centre-backs before dragging a 20-yard shot just wide of the post. Edwin van der Sar had it covered but judging by his reaction afterwards, he is far from happy at his players there.5min: A nice shuffle from Nani takes out two Schalke players but although his cross is deflected out for a corner, the skill beforehand has woken up the slightly flat crowd.3min: Quiet start, but Schalke like Madrid last night are trying to get stuck in early on. United win an early corner but Antonio Valencia's cross is cleared.Kick-off: United get us going. Eyeing up the opposition: Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola (centre) was amongst the crowd at Old Trafford19.43: Teams are out on a bright evening in Manchester.19.40: Sir Alex Ferguson pre-match:'I trust these lads, the only slight concern is the lack of experience with our centre-backs. But looking at the Schalke team they lack experience too.We will go for the win tonight. I think I am right with my team selection, I hope I'm right.'19.38: And of course with that stat in mind, it's time to remind you of the scenarios. Schalke have to win by two goals tonight to stand a chance of progressing.The only result that can take this game to extra-time is a 2-0 Schalke victory after 90 minutes. 19.35: More reassurances for United fans from InfostradaLive:Manchester United have never lost a European home match by more than one goal difference. Eight home defeats by one goal margin.19.32: Manuel Neuer may have said no to United this summer but it will still be interesting to see how he performs tonight.He looked like he was going to pull off one of the all-time great performances before Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney hit two late goals in the first leg and if he builds another brick wall at Old Trafford tonight, his valuation is set to rocketas is his next pay packet.19.28: And on that note, who can remember this one (below) at Old Trafford? I know I posted it last week but I could watch Fernando Redondo wipe out Henning Berg with that back heel all evening.19.25: From InfostradaLive:Raul has scored 18 Champions League goals in the knockout phase. This equals the record of Andriy Shevchenko.19.22: Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson makes eight changes for the Champions League semi-final against Schalke at Old Trafford tonight.Only goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, Anderson and Nani remain from the team that started in the 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.Ferguson has decided to mix things up with his side holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg and a vital league game against Chelsea to come on Sunday.Van der Sar and Antonio Valencia are the only ones, in fact, who retained their places from the trip to Germany a week ago while Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand are not even on the bench.19.17: Full lineups:Man Utd v Schalke 04Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Smalling, Evans, O'Shea, Gibson, Scholes, Anderson, Valencia, Berbatov, Nani. Subs: Kuszczak, Evra, Owen, Giggs, Hernandez, Vidic, Fletcher.Schalke 04: Neuer, Uchida, Howedes, Metzelder, Escudero, Papadopoulos, Jurado, Farfan, Baumjohann, Draxler, Raul. Subs: Schober, Sarpei, Edu, Schmitz, Karimi, Huntelaar, Matip.Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal) Main threat: Manchester United defenders Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling will be focused on keeping Raul (centre) quiet19.12: I have to be honest here and say I have in the past been jealous of the success of United's success but I'm sure glad I am not in line to pay ?950 (top price I admit) for a season ticket - European champions or not, it's surely too much for 19 games of football?19.08: John O'Shea looks like he will captain the side. No disrespect to the experienced utility man but to me that's like trusting an eight-year-old with road a map at the Spaghetti Junction - he just doesn't strike me as a natural leader.sorry John.19.05: Another positive for United this evening is that the whole squad tonight are card free - meaning none have a chance of missing the final if they are booked.19.03: Apologies in advance for I have a sweet tooth for stats this evening, here is one from InfostradaLive:Since their defeat against Bayern Munich last season, Man Utd are unbeaten in 12 successive European matches. One shy of club record.19.01: Very disappointed Michael Owen doesn't start tonight, that five man midfield smacks of caution to me but at least Dimitar Berbatov has banged a few in this season and can be trusted on his own in attackOwen deserves more to be honest though, I'm probably one of the few people left in the country that still thinks given match fitness he can still do it for England.18.57: Doh! Turns out Fergie's message didn't reach everyone. Know something we don't? Flags have already been made to celebrate United reaching the Wembley final18.54: But fear not United fans, Sir Alex Ferguson has already warned against complacency sighting last year's nine day collapse against Bayern Munich and Chelsea. Read more here.18.51: Turns out I'm not.Schalke: Neuer; Escudero, Howedes, Raul, Baumjohann, Papadopoulos, Farfan, Jurado, Metzelder, Uchida, Draxler.18.48: I don't know about you but if I was a Schalke player and I saw that team, I would suddenly be right up for this match. This may not be over yet you know.18.45: An easy path to Wembley or potentially Manchester United's biggest ever slip-up at a European stage?No side has ever come back from losing 2-0 at home in the Champions League and that is precisely the task facing Schalke this evening. Surely they can't spoil United's Wembley party.can they?United team news.Manchester United: Van der Sar; Rafael, Smalling, Evans, O'Shea; Valencia, Gibson, Scholes, Anderson, Nani; Berbatov. Manuel labour: Ryan Giggs finally gave Manchester United the lead in the first-leg, after an inspired goalkeeping performance from Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer had kept United at bay  Chelsea showdown clouds United's Champions League preparationsFerguson tells retiring keeper Van der Sar: Go out with a bang, not a whimperRooney misses training with hamstring problem ahead of Schalke showdownAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion  

Source: Daily_Mail