Man. United Thrash Schalke To Reach Euro Final

Manchester United completed the formalities of victory against Schalke 04 to reach Wembley and set up another Champions League final confrontation with Barcelona.

United, holding a two-goal lead from the first leg of the semi-final in Germany, were never in danger of surrendering their advantage at Old Trafford and ran out comfortable winners - presenting the possibility of revenge for their defeat at the hands of Barca boss Pep Guardiola and his side in the 2009 final in Rome.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that he suffered a sleepless night pondering a team selection that showed eight changes from the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, with Wayne Rooney not even on the bench, but his decision was vindicated by an emphatic victory margin that allowed United to ease into their third final in four years.

Antonio Valencia and Darron Gibson scored twice in five minutes in the first half as the Premier League side faced only token resistance from their Bundesliga opponents, who shocked holders Inter Milan in the quarter-final.

And, even though Jose Manuel Jurado pulled a goal back for the visitors before the interval, it was never more than a minor interruption to a night of Old Trafford celebration.

Brazilian midfielder Anderson underlined United's domination of Schalke by scoring twice late on as a weakened line-up still proved all too much for the Champions League's surprise package this season.

Now Ferguson must turn his attention to claiming United's record 19th domestic title - but also devising a plan to ensure the torture his team suffered on what he called Barcelona's passing "carousel" is not repeated at Wembley on 28 May.

Ferguson insists he has always known what went wrong on that balmy Rome night two years ago, now he has the perfect chance to prove his theory at the scene of United's first win in Europe's elite tournament against Benfica in 1968.

Barcelona's first win in the competition also came at Wembley against Sampdoria in 1992 and Guardiola will be hoping the Catalan giants can replicate the Lionel Messi-inspired stranglehold that they exerted over United when they last met.

It was a special night for Gibson, who was recently forced to abandon his venture on to Twitter after only 97 minutes following a torrent of criticism, vitriol he answered in some style as Ferguson's men took charge early on.

He was the creator with an inviting pass that set Valencia free on the angle of the penalty area. The winger then showed great composure to beat the advancing Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and lift what had been a subdued atmosphere inside Old Trafford, the lack of tension reflected in the mood of the crowd.

Gibson turned from creator to goalscorer five minutes later to double United's lead on the night and end any serious doubts about them reaching Wembley.

It was nightmare moment for Neuer, peerless in keeping United at bay almost single-handedly eight days ago. Gibson's shot carried power but was directed straight at the keeper, who somehow allowed the strike to fumble through his grasp and into the net.

Schalke at least responded with a measure of spirit and pulled a goal back after 35 minutes when Jurado took advantage of space and time inside the area to fire high past United keeper Edwin van der Sar at the Stretford End.

It was the signal for the outbreak of ugly scenes among the visiting supporters, who clashed with stewards high behind one goal, with flares set alight and bottles thrown, but fortunately order was swifly restored.

The Red Devils had mixed moments of defensive uncertainty with attacking threat, assisted by an uncharacteristically uncertain performance from Germany's much-coveted keeper Neuer, who was out of sorts virtually from the start.

He redeemed himself with a fine stretching save from Anderson early in the second half, but the midfield man won their next personal battle as United sealed the victory and ensured the party could start inside Old Trafford.

Neuer was again at fault as Anderson scored at the second attempt after his first shot had been blocked by defender Atsuto Uchida - and he was on target again four minutes later as United emphasised their vast supremacy over the two legs.

Dimitar Berbatov, who had performed impressively at United's lone striker, gave Anderson the simplest of tasks to roll the ball into an empty net from an inviting cross with Neuer stranded.

Ferguson was even able to introduce Darren Fletcher after a spell on the sidelines through illness, replacing Paul Scholes, who was on a yellow card, to ensure the veteran midfield man was not ruled out of the final.

And, as United cruised easily towards the final whistle, Ferguson was finally able to set his sights on bringing Europe's biggest club prize to Old Trafford for the fourth time.


Man of the moment: Anderson celebrates one of his goals with Gibson