[mr_missile]

MAN UNITED ON BRINK OF CL FINAL

Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United to the brink of the Champions League final with a 2-0 victory at Schalke in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

Giggs finally broke the outstanding Manuel Neuer's one-man resistance in the Arena AufSchalke clash in the 67th minute with a cool finish through the goalkeeper's legs after superb play from Rooney.

And just two minutes later the England international added his name to the scoresheet, slotting home from just inside the area after more weak defending from the home side allowed Javier Hernandez to set up his strike partner.

The Red Devils had contrived to create and miss a host of chances in the opening 45 minutes with Hernandez, Giggs, Rooney and Park all left wondering how they had failed to beat Schalke's highly-rated number one.

The Germany international, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar, produced a series of top-drawer stops to keep his side in the tie.

Ralf Rangnick's men, so poor in the Bundesliga but previously excellent in Europe, elected to bring their dismal domestic form to their biggest game of the season and rarely troubled Van der Sar.

The winner of this tie will face either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the final at Wembley on May 28.

Sir Alex Ferguson claimed United were prevented from taking an unassailable lead by the best goalkeeping performance against the club since he became manager.

"In my time at United, it is probably the finest display of goalkeeping against us," said Ferguson on Neuer's superb performance.

"I am sure there have been other feats but tonight I saw a very good one."

Schalke coach Rangnick could only reflect on a disastrous night for his team, with only Neuer emerging with any real credit.

"We started quite well. Then it all went wrong," he said.

"We gave them too much space and could have been behind by three goals at half-time if it had not been for Manuel Neuer.

"He is the best goalkeeper in the world but you don't need this performance to confirm that.

"If you see his development over the last few years he is absolutely top class.

"But for the goals, we just stood around and watched. You can't do that.

"We are not going to capitulate though. Manchester United have a better chance to reach the final but strange things happen in football.

"However, we do need to improve."