English Premier League leaders Manchester United overcame their German jinx on Tuesday evening by beating Shackle 04 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semi finals at the Veltins-Arena in Germany.
Man U has not beaten a German team in this competition at the seminal final stage. Man U has in the past lost to Borussia Dortmund in 1996-97 and Bayer Leverkusen in 2001-02 semi finals.
Though Manchester United were favourites before the match, the team was made to sweat until the 66th minute when Ryan Gigs slotted home from a Wayne Rooney pass.
Schalke who were a shadow of the side that dismantled Champions league holders Inter Milan with a comfortable six goals would have lost by a bigger margin, but thanks to their on form keeper Neuer who kept the score at a decent number.
The German team survived attack after attack, and by half time, Hernandez Chicarito alone had missed four glorious chances. He made good later by setting up Rooney for the second Man U goal.
Shackle 04 manager Ralf Rangnick looked on helplessly as his team was outplayed, out muscled, and out classed on the first 2011 Campion league semi final night.
Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson will look forward to meet Schlke 04 in a week’s time at Old Trafford, but the he is cognizant of the fact that the Germans beat Inter Milan 5-2 in the quarter finals.