Schalke vs Manchester United

Official according to SSN:

VDS
Fabio
Rio
Vidic
Evra
Park
Giggs
Carrick
Valencia
Hernandez
Rooney
 
Subs: Kuszczak, Anderson, Smalling, Nani, Scholes, Rafael, J Evans
 
Excellent team, thought we might go 4-5-1 but glad he's stuck with the impressive Rooney-Hernandez partnership.

Surpised no Owen on the bench, Smalling or Evans could've been left out for the extra striker.
 
Excellent line-up for us.

But bloody hell, that Schalke line-up is fecking suicide! They play Jurado who is wank defensively and Papa through the middle... Rooney should have a field day! :devil:
 
Strange that Owen's not even on the bench, yet we have 3 defenders. Assume he got a knock
 
A bit too attacking for my tastes. One up front away from home has rarely done us wrong in recent years.
 
Pleased with the line-up and especially the trust in Fabio. Strange that Owen isn't on the bench.
 
The bench is a bit of a puzzle as is Fabio ahead of Rafael and O'Shea. Very attacking from us but Rooney's been brilliant in helping out the midfield defensively from that withdrawn role.

How great would it be to have someone like Fletcher available for games like this. Its something we're really missing.
 
A bit too attacking for my tastes. One up front away from home has rarely done us wrong in recent years.

Fergie likes the away goals and our defensive record in this competition backs him up.

I like it, Fabio could cause some damage down Schalke's left tonight.
 
It's the formation I expected. Rooney plays deeper than the average CAM in a 4231 when we play this formation so it gives us that defensive stability when we don't have the ball but maintains the attacking danger when we do have it.

Should be enough to win.
 
The bench is a bit of a puzzle as is Fabio ahead of Rafael and O'Shea. Very attacking from us but Rooney's been brilliant in helping out the midfield defensively from that withdrawn role.

How great would it be to have someone like Fletcher available for games like this. Its something we're really missing.

Rafael is probably not fit enough and O'Shea will never be used when the opposing team have quick and fit wingers.
 
Not wanting to jinx it or anything, but that Schalke back four must be the worst defensive line-up I've ever seen in a Champions League semi-final. Hans fecking Sarpei, a player who wouldn't even get into Blackpool's team... Tony V will murder him on our right attacking side. Uchida, decent player, nothing more. Metzelder and Matip are good in the air, but that's about it. Waaah I'm much more confident now, this game has goals written all over it
 
Keep hearing that this is an "attacking" lineup, and while it's surely capable, I think we're as solid defensively as we ever. Carrick in front of Rio & Vidic. Wazza dropping back. Park and Tony tracking back on the wings.
 
Great team, but the bench is puzzling. Perhaps Smalling as the auxiliary striker?
 
Clear to see Fergie's got real faith in Fabio. Hopefully that faith means Evra gets more rest next season.
 
I hope Park, Rooney and Carrick play in midfield and Giggs and Valencia on the wings. I feel Giggs plays better on the left wing than Park.
 
Not wanting to jinx it or anything, but that Schalke back four must be the worst defensive line-up I've ever seen in a Champions League semi-final. Hans fecking Sarpei, a player who wouldn't even get into Blackpool's team... Tony V will murder him on our right attacking side. Uchida, decent player, nothing more. Metzelder and Matip are good in the air, but that's about it. Waaah I'm much more confident now, this game has goals written all over it
That is true atleast. Given how both teams are setup, I wouldn't be surprised to see 4 or 5 goals scored today which doesn't usually happen in a CL semi-final.

Rio-Vidic in the centre of defense does ensure we won't be leaking goals though.
 
I hope Park, Rooney and Carrick play in midfield and Giggs and Valencia on the wings. I feel Giggs plays better on the left wing than Park.

Park will shadow Farfan on the wing.