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| Manchester United were far too good for their German opponents |
Manchester United tore Schalke apart to take a giant step towards the Champions League final.
The German side were tipped to cause United some problems, with the predatory Raul a looming figure.
But in reality, the job couldn't have been any simpler.
In perhaps their best performance of the season, the Red Devils looked threatening every time they went forward and could have won by a cricket score if it wasn't for the heroics of home goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
The fact it took United until 25 minutes before the end to break the deadlock is testament to Neuer's performance.
It was just wave after wave of attack, with the away side passing the ball as well as they have done all season.
It was like a training match for much of the game, although that would be a very light training session as defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, as well as holding midfielder Michael Carrick, had one of the easiest games of their careers.
Neuer was finally beaten on 68 minutes when Wayne Rooney's through ball was slotted home by Ryan Giggs, who became the oldest Champions League goalscorer in the process.
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| Before Ryan Giggs' goal, Manuel Neuer seemed unbeatable |
It took just two more minutes for the lead to be extended, with Wayne Rooney finding himself in similar space in the box after Javier Hernandez played him in.
Rooney finished in similar fashion to Giggs, coolly and with minimal fuss, and the two-goal margain flattered Schalke more than United.
Just before the opening goal, Javier Hernandez had seen an effort ruled out for offside and Sir Alex Ferguson said later that gave his side belief Neuer could be beaten.
Before that, he just seemed unbeatable.
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| Peter Schmeichel says Neuer is currently the world's best goalkeeper |
Without him, the scoreline would have been simply embarrassing.
It is no wonder he wants to leave Schalke as, although they have done magnificently to reach the last four of the Champions League, they look to have little potential to consistently challenge for honours as they rely too heavily on him and Raul.
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| Sir Alex Ferguson congratulated Neuer after the game for his performance |
It looks like Neuer may be set for Bayern Munich but if that move somehow falls through, you can be sure that Ferguson and United will be there to snap him up.
Neuer did everything in his power to thwart United, but the fact he had so much to do was testament to how well the Red Devils played.
Michael Carrick acted as a deep-lying playmaker in front of the back four and snuffed out any problems before the defence had to be troubled, and his passing accuracy was the best it has been for a long time.
Yes, he wasn't put under much pressure from the German side but this display will help Carrick's reputation on the continent no end and help put to bed any lingering doubts fans have about him after his mistake against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.
Rio Ferdinand was similarly comfortable on the ball, although largely untroubled defensively, and it was the role of he and Carrick which relieved any pressure on their side as they were so composed and helped start attacks.
Wayne Rooney's deep-lying role behind Javier Hernandez brought out the best in him.
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| Rooney was at the heart of most Manchester United moves |
Some of his cross-field balls are just sublime and help bring United's wingers into the game.
He is helped enormously by Hernandez's excellent off-the-ball running, with 'Chicharito' another key member of this improving United side.
But so much of this performance was about Rooney.
Some of his ghosts seem to have been laid to rest and that has resulted in some phenomenal displays, with Rooney playing a key role in both the build-up play and the end product.
It seemed to be something of a walk in the park for United but a lot of this was down to the hard work of Antonio Valencia and Park.
It was surprising to see Nani left on the bench but he was left out to make way for the industrious Valencia and Park, and this decision proved to be an inspired one.
Nani has had a great season and can feel unlucky to have missed out on a place in the side, but he was sacrificed for the good of the team and it was the right decision.
Schalke appeared to be well out of their depth at this level. They lacked any sort of ideas going forward and it seems they had no real belief they could reach the final.
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| Raul was left isolated up front for Schalke |
It says a lot for how poor Inter Milan must have been that Schalke beat them, as the Germans never looked likely to make United toil.
Their defence was simply shocking as the likes of Giggs and Hernandez had numerous one-on-one chances against Neuer, and it is something of a miracle Neuer kept the score down to two.
United look all set for their third Champions League final in four years and that is a tremendous record they can be rightly proud of.
They musn't count their chickens yet, as Schalke beat Inter by a three-goal margain at the San Siro, but they are so close to Wembley they can almost smell it.
Ferguson will ensure his side do not become complacent as it would be a major shock if the German side launched a comeback, and he will not want his side to be left with egg on their faces.
The great thing about this United side is their work-rate.
What they may lack in natural talent they more than make up for in endeavour and will-to-win, and this will stand them in good stead against either Barcelona or Real Madrid should they reach the final.
The Spanish sides would go into the final as favourites but neither would take United lightly.
The win over Schalke also all but ended United's German hoodoo.
They have never beaten a German side over two legs before but that run will be ended after this second leg barring miracles.
The first-leg couldn't have been more one-sided, with United having double the shots, double the shots on target, double the corners and double the possession of their opponents.
Wembley is surely just 90 minutes away.
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