Champions League preview: Manchester United v Schalke

Schalke’s hopes of overturning Manchester United’s 2-0 first-leg lead rest on two crucial factors when their Champions League semi final resumes on Wednesday.

Will the Red Devils be able to recover from their shock 1-0 Premier League loss to bitter rivals Arsenal on Sunday?

And can Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer produce a similar formidable performance as in the first leg when goals from Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs handed the visitors an easy victory?

The scoreline would have been much worse for the Germans without Neuer’s heroics.

United looked a class above their opponents at the Gelschenkirchen last week but seven days can be a long time in football.

Given the manner of their win in Germany, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side go into the second leg as solid favourites and already have one foot in the tournament final at Wembley on May 28, where they will take on either Barcelona or Real Madrid

United have progressed in all 14 UEFA competition ties where they won the first game away from home, including against Chelsea in this season’s quarter-finals (1-0 away, 2-1 home).

Schalke have lost only one home first leg in UEFA competition, going down 1-0 to Barcelona in the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Schalke striker Raul remains optimistic.

“There are 90 minutes left and we’re not going to just give up; we know it’s very difficult but will try to at least leave a good account of ourselves.”

It has been a tale of two competitions for the German club this year, as they have been excellent in the Champions League but poor in the Bundesliga.

Schalke have beaten Valencia and reigning champions Inter Milan in Europe this season, but are 10th in the German league.

Ralf Ragnick’s side lost 4-1 to Bayern Munich at the weekend which will not instil any further confidence in the side.

But any hopes that Manchester United can convince Schalke’s Neuer to join them next season while he is at Old Trafford appear to have faded.

In the first leg Neuer showed he would be a perfect replacement for Edwin van der Sar who retires at the end of the season.

His agent Thomas Kroth said Neuer has no intention of moving to England.

“Manuel is not interested in joining Manchester United. He is not interesting in leaving Germany. He will stay in Germany. That is definite,” Kroth said.

“I don’t think anything could change his mind.”

Sir Alex Ferguson said he would bring in rested players against Schalke.

“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.”