Dominant display puts Man Utd in control
It's probably fair to say that no matter what scoreline Manchester United triumphed by in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday night, they were never going to overtake Barcelona as Champions League favourites, so the fact that they got so close to doing so illustrates just how impressive they were.
The three-time winners kept another clean sheet in their final trip overseas of the current European campaign to sign off without having conceded a single goal on their travels and a 2-0 victory over a desperately disappointing Schalke side leaves them with not so much a foot as nine toes in the final.
Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney were the heroes for Sir Alex Ferguson's team as they gave themselves every chance of finally overcoming their knockout stage hoodoo against Bundesliga clubs by eventually finding a way past Germany number one Manuel Neuer, who was in inspired form.
The Red Devils are consequently just [1.02] to secure a spot in their third continental final in four years, a feat that not even the great Barcelona can rival, while they have darted in to [2.64] to be crowned champions, odds that see them breathing down the necks of the La Liga leaders at [2.48].
Those that somehow see a way back for Schalke, who gave the impression that this was a round too far for them after a heroic campaign in which they saw off Valencia and holders Inter and enjoyed wins over Lyon and Benfica, can take a monster price of [42.0] on them making it to Wembley.
Ralf Rangnick and his players will be annoyed by the account that they gave of themselves having worked hard for the opportunity to participate in such a big match and will be eager to force neutrals to revise their opinions at Old Trafford next week, but there's surely no way back now.
Can Manchester United beat either of Spain's big two? Have your say below...
Published: 27 Apr 2011
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