Manchester United had the easiest Champions League semifinal against Schalke 04 as the English leaders won 2-0 at the Veltins-Arena and will take the lead into the second leg at Old Trafford next week.

How the first half ended goalless was anyones guess. United had a flurry of chances and should have scored at least two, with Hernandez, Giggs, Fabio, Rooney all coming close. If it wasn't for the brilliant Manuel Neuer, who came up with some excellent saves, United would have had the tie wrapped up in the first half.

The second half came and within minutes into it, the pattern continued as Evra was denied by Neuer. As the hour mark passed, Schalke would have been hoping for a miracle goalless draw. However, in the 67th minute, United finally broke through when Rooney slipped the ball behind the Schalke rearguard perfectly into Giggs' path for the Welshman to finish between the legs of Neuer.

Less than a minute later, Rooney made it two when Hernandez slipped Rooney through and he finish with aplomb.

United will be delighted with the two away goals as it has them with a foot firmly in the final. And if Schalke doesn't improve on their performance in the second leg, it could be another thoroughly one-sided affair and an easy ticket to the final for Manchester United, where they'll face either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

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