Sir Alex Ferguson has always taken a perverse pride in the way his Manchester United side “do things the hard way.” The late comeback, the dramatic turnaround, has become their trademark, never more so than when beating Bayern Munich with two goals in injury—time to win the Champions League final in 1999.
That season they came from 2—0 down away to Juventus to win 3—2 in the semi—final, but as United approach the fourth Champions League final of Ferguson’s reign, there is no need for such heroics against Germany’s Schalke.
2—0 up from the first leg of the semi—final in Gelsenkirchen, United’s passage to the final at Wembley — where they won their first European Cup in 1968 by beating Benfica 4—1 after extra—time — and a likely date with Barcelona should be simple.
Certainly there was nothing in that first leg to suggest Schalke have the firepower to trouble United, only the excellence of their goalkeeper Manuel Neuer sparing them from an embarrassing defeat.
Rarely can a semi—final have produced such a mismatch — United slick and incisive, Schalke befuddled, watching in bewilderment as red shirts buzzed around them.
Wayne Rooney in particular was afforded the sort of room he can rarely have enjoyed since his schoolboy days, controlling the game from the vast plains that exist between Schalke’s defensive and midfield lines.
The progress of Schalke, only midtable in the Bundesliga, to the last four always had a touch of the fairy—tale about it; United made it seem miraculous, exposing them as a very ordinary side indeed.
Ferguson’s record against German sides is not good as his only knockout—phase victory over a German side came in that final in 1999.
“Typical Germans” he muttered after losing to Bayern Munich and their gamesmanship in the quarter—final last season.
But now his only complaint was that United hadn’t won by the five or six they should have done and so made absolutely certain of their progress.
The United boss has vowed to guard against complacency, but also confirmed he would make changes with a view to Sunday’s crucial Premier League game against Chelsea.
“I will make some changes on Wednesday without question,” said Ferguson. “I will bring Paul Scholes back in, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen.
“We’ll need to do that but I will probably keep my experienced players at the back. We have a big week ahead. Wednesday is a European semi—final second leg and then the game on Sunday.
“Two massive games, so we will regroup and freshen it up.”
