S.A.F wants to break free

Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to break new ground by steering United past German opposition in a two-legged European encounter.

After four previous failures, Ferguson is hoping to make it fourth time lucky in the Champions League semi-final against Schalke.

Dimitar Berbatov (groin injury) and Darren Fletcher (virus infection) are down, otherwise the Red Devils manager is selecting from strength.

Defender Benedikt Howedes of Schalke will be given every possible chance to recover from his stomach strain.

The Germany Under-21 star was a goalscorer in Schalke's quarter-final win over Inter Milan and coach Ralf Rangnick knows he will have to restructure his entire starting line-up if Howedes does not make it.

News about Kyriakos Papadopoulous and Peer Kluge gave some relief, who have both recovered from minor problems and will be available for the first-leg encounter at the Veltins-Arena.

Teams:

Schalke (from): Neuer, Schober, Sarpei, Escudero, Howedes, Plestan, Papadopoulous, Metzelder, Uchida, Hao, Baumjohann, Kluger, Schmitz, Jurado, Diac, Draxier, Matip, Raul, Edu, Charisteas, Farfan.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Rafael, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Valencia, Gibson, Anderson, Park, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez, Owen.