United goes into the match 2-0 up after beating the Germans at the Veltins Area last Tuesday thanks to two second-half goals courtesy of Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney.
Ahead of the second-leg at Old Trafford, many are suspecting United to comfortably reach the final, regardless of whether it plays a full strength team or not.
However, Ferguson is taking a much more cautious approach to the match, believing that Schalke will want to show its pride and ensure it isn’t embarrassed, therefore is expecting a tough match.
The 69 year-old believes that his opposite number, Ralf Rangnick, will instil a belief into his team that they have nothing to be afraid of, with the pressure very much being on United.
Speaking to reporters in his pre-match press conference, Ferguson said: “I think Schalke have nothing to lose. That’s the message he will impart into his team. I’m sure of that.
“I think they’ll have a go. They’ll try to win the match. There’s nothing else they can do. For any coach in a semi-final he must try and give his team that chance to win the match, and I think you’ll find they’ll have a real go.”
Should United reach the final, it will be its third Champions League final in four years after winning the competition in 2008 and finishing runner-up to Barcelona a year later, with a re-match against the Catalan giants the most likely scenario on May 27.
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Sir Alex Ferguson: Schalke has nothing to lose in the second-leg