United demonstrate their strength of character as Wembley beckons

Manchester United put one foot in the final of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday after their emphatic 2-0 victory over Schalke 04 in Germany. Goals from Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney finally broke down a stubborn Schalke resistance – led by the outstanding Manuel Neuer – and all but set up a mouthwatering final with either Real Madrid or Barcelona, with the latter seeming the more likely opponents after emerging victorious from last night’s ill-tempered game.

It seems almost unthinkable that a very poor Schalke side – who you could not help but wonder how they managed to trounce defending European Champions Inter Milan in the previous leg – can come to Old Trafford next midweek and reverse a two goal deficit.

Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken in the build up to the game about his frustration and impatience at United’s lack of European trophies and the envious glances he cast in the direction of the likes of Madrid, AC Milan, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. His side certainly seemed to be sharing his desire to start reducing this deficit at Wembley this year as the first half saw wave after wave of attacks from those in Man Utd shirts, thwarted only by the brilliance of Neuer.

Leaving aside the Champions League for a moment, the nature of the victory may also have crucial implications for the Premier League title. For all United are in a commanding position at the moment, the reality is a trip to the Emirates and a home clash with Chelsea either side of a Champions League semi final has the potential for disaster and any slip ups could allow the Blues an unlikely chance at regaining the title.

However, while it is perhaps a little too early for the Germans to cancel their reservations for Wembley next month and there is still work to be done, United do not face the type of pressure next midweek as they may have anticipated. In fact, one would not be entirely surprised if the likes of Wayne Rooney or Javier Hernandez were rested, should Dimitar Berbatov return from injury in time for the contest.

It is hard to disagree with critics who claim that this year’s Manchester United side are not as strong as formidable as previous generations. However, one thing that is not in doubt is that they share the same strength of character as previous Sir Alex’s sides. While title rivals Arsenal crumbled as results started to go against them, United held firm in the face of a hugely disappointing FA Cup Semi Final defeat to bitter rivals Manchester City and have continued grinding out results which should see them lift more silverware come May.

Whether or not this includes the Champions League trophy is a discussion for another day, with wither of the Spanish semi-finalists likely to provide stiff opposition at Wembley on 28^th May. In saying that, as difficult a task as overcoming either Barcelona or Real Madrid would be, perhaps the script is written for the old adversary and highly tipped future manager to have the final say?

By Eddie Smith – a sports blogger who writes about kids football shirts