By Josh Clarke
4 May 2011 22:53:00
Champions League: Schalke 04 – Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson (Getty Images)
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Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that sleep was hard to come by when selecting his Manchester United side that strolled to a 4-1 victory against Schalke in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie this evening.
The United boss raised eyebrows when making nine changes from the game at the Emirates, with only Edwin van der Sar and Anderson retaining their places in the starting lineup and Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand being left out of the matchday squad altogether.
However, despite fielding a weakened squad, Manchester United sauntered to victory, courtesy of Antonio Valencia and Darren Gibson first-half goals and an Anderson second-half brace.
“I didn’t sleep last night thinking about it, I woke up four times, picking different teams,” said Ferguson to ITV.
“They did me proud and when I analyse each individual who was playing, I think ‘why can’t I play them?’
“The semi-final thing and the fact that it’s such an important game does create a certain bit of doubt in your mind about whether youre doing the right thing but I’m glad we’re vindicated.”
The 6-1 aggregate semi-final victory – the largest in Champions League history – sets up a mouthwatering final against Barcelona at Wembley, a repeat of the 2009 final in Rome.
With the Catalan club earning all the plaudits for their breathtaking attacking displays, Ferguson recognises that his side face stiff opposition. “I think they are definitely the team of the moment – there’s no question of that,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic type of football they play, it’s a pleasure to watch and I think their semi-final was unfortunate – they expected a lot more.”
With key players rested coming into the latter stages of the season, Ferguson feels that his team faces less of a handicap in European football’s centrepiece than in previous years.
“I think it will be a fantastic final,” he told Sky Sports.
“The big advantage this time as opposed to two previous finals that I’ve been involved in is that we’ve no players missing.
“In 1999 we were without Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, in 2009 we were without Darren Fletcher; we’ve got everyone available this time.”
However, with Manchester United having made the final for the third time in four years, Ferguson feels that his team has shown they are up there with Europe’s finest.
“It’s fantastic for the club, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.
“It’s where we want to be and I’ve said it many times, we should have done better in Europe over the years.
“I think we’re getting closer to that, I think this team can win the cup.
“I think it’s a team full of great desire and determination and these are qualities allied with their ability that will help them win it.”
Before the final on May 28, Ferguson’s men have their eyes on reclaiming their Premier League crown from Chelsea – to which they could take a large step towards when hosting the Londoners on Sunday.
Last season, Manchester United lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League before then losing to Chelsea in their next game in a match that ultimately decided the title.
However, with Manchester United coming into the game off the back of an emphatic win, Ferguson feels they may have the psychological upper hand this time around.
“That’s what happened last year, we had an emotional tiredness in the first half against Chelsea and we didn’t play well, Chelsea were the better team.
“This time, we’ve played well, we’re into the final at Wembley and we’re going to go for it on Sunday.”