How Manchester United rated against Schalke

  FIRST ELEVEN

 
Edwin van der Sar 6
A SEVENTH Champions League semi-final for the Dutchman after his time with Ajax, Juventus and United.
The 40-year-old has once again been in inspired form this season leaving the manager wishing he would extend his career.
Last night he was a spectator for much of the game but made one good save from a long-range shot.

Fabio 7
 TWIN Rafael and John O'Shea had been sharing the right-back spot for most of the season but it was Fabio who got the nod last night.
He was chosen as much for his rampaging runs forward as any defensive ability.
The Brazilian made one dash the length of pitch and also had a great chance to score but blasted over. Booked.

Rio Ferdinand 8
HIS recent return from injury has given United's defence an added air of authority.
He exuded it last night against Raul. While the Real Madrid legend scored in both legs of Schalke's quarter-final victory over Inter he was hardly allowed to touch the ball last night. Ferdinand was on his heels even up to halfway.

Nemanja Vidic 7
UNITED skipper has a Champions League winners medal to his name from 2008. But he has revealed that success this season would top that as he would be the captain lifting the trophy.
He has played a captain's innings this season with the Serbian leading by example once again last night as he snuffed rare Schalke attacks.

Patrice Evra 6
THIS was the Frenchman's eighth appearance in the Champions League for the season.
Some feel he has not had his best season but has been part of a back-line that has conceded just one goal in the competition all season.
Kept to his defensive duties without producing any forward thrust.

Antonio Valencia 7
GOT the nod ahead of Nani as he did for the first-leg of the quarter-final against Chelsea.
His return to action from a broken ankle has been a major boost for Ferguson in the final push towards glory.
He was a source of chances last night putting in two fantastic balls for Hernandez.

Michael Carrick 7
LIKE Rooney, Carrick has enjoyed an excellent second half of the season and had possibly his best game for the club in the quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.
The nervy performances have been replaced by ones of authority like here in Gelsenkirchen as he commanded a role in front of the back four, sending United forward.

Ryan Giggs 8
BECAME the oldest player to score in the Champions League.
At 37 he is as important to United in big games now as at any time in his amazing career.
Floated across the park picking out passes and getting into goalscoring positions. After fluffing two chances, scored the important opener.

Ji-Sung Park 7
FERGIE just loves to play the South Korean in these big games.
While everyone else is painting pretty pictures he is ruining those the opposition are trying to create.
An incredible engine, he was all over the pitch. The unsung hero but sort of player every good team needs.

Wayne Rooney 9 - STAR MAN
ENGLAND MAN could not have had two more contrasting halves to the season.
Out of form, injured, out the team - and almost out the club in the first few months.

Now after 12 goals in his last 20 appearances he is as inspirational as ever - scorer and creator supreme.

Javier Hernandez 6
AT the start of the season could not have believed he would be spearheading the Red Devils' attack in a game of this magnitude.
The 22-year-old was bought as one for the future but has been very much the man for here and now. But his finishing was off last night as he missed chance after chance.

SUBS
 
ANDERSON (Hernandez 73) 6 At 2-0 put on to keep things tight in midfield.

PAUL SCHOLES (Park 73) 6 First appearance since Wembley red card. Nothing silly last night.

NANI (Rooney 83) 5 On to help see the game out.

Not used: Kuszczak, Smalling, Rafael, Evans.

source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3548879/Schalke-v-Manchester-United-Dream-Team-ratings.html