Manchester United 4-1 Schalke 04

Well Fergie was true to his word as he replaced 9 of the eleven starters from the first leg. I have to admit that i thought and hoped that he might give Ferdinand and Vidic the night off, but when he told the press that he was going to make changes he had stated that he would keep a strong defence. He really can't help himself sometimes can he, not only did Smalling and Evans come in for the pair he changed both full backs as well.
As suspected it was no real risk, they really aren't that good. I heard that somebody had described them as the worst semi finalists he had seen in the competition, they may well be but i presume he saw Lyon take on Bayern last season as they were piss poor as well. That was what made losing to Bayern so painful, because as poorly as we ended the season last year we couldn't have failed to beat them.
It turned out to be one of those nights as the men who came into the team all seemed to be on song, even Gibson had an excellent game. It was he who played the ball of the night to put Valencia for the first goal of the night. And it was the Irishman who got a second not long after, with more than a little help from German wonder keeper Neuer. I wonder whether Bayern were watching that.
The Germans did get one back before half time, but any dounts that United might stumble had long since gone. The second half saw United give as good an exhibition of attacking football as we have seen for some time at Old trafford as Berbatov led the line well and Valencia caused mayhem down the right hand side. It was Nani on the left who created the third that was slotted home by Anderson. When Anderson finished off another classic move getting on the end of Berbatov's excellent ball you really knew it was one of those nights where everything clicks.
So now for Wembley, Barcelona and the hope of getting a ticket.

Has Fergie started the mind games already, only kidding, i'm not sure what Mourinho can tell him that he doesn't already know though. All we can ask for is that this time we turn up and if we are to go down we at least show some fight, unlike Rome.
Jim White looks ahead to the final and makes the case for the inclusion of the man so badly missed in Rome, Darren Fletcher. He will have to play a few games before the final if he is to have a chance of making the final you would have though. I have to admit that i would be trying to find a way of getting him into the line up. If we are to play 4-4-2 with Rooney dropping deep the only way would seem to be playing Giggs on the left, we shall see.

Whilst praising Barca as a fantastic football team Fergie insists United are not scared of the Catalan giants and will have to work out a way of countering their magnificent passin game. I'm just hoping it's a positive response, not the anti-football that Mourinho tried to use with Real.

Daniel Taylor thought Scholes did enough last night to show that he still has one more season in him, though there is a feeling within the club that he might call it time at the end of the season. The fact he has announced that he will be bringing an autobiography out next September as well as having a testimonial isn't good news for all us ginger prince lovers either.

Andy Mitten looks back at el Classico.

Jon Snow contrasts the fortunes of presidents Carter and Obama and looks at why there are still dangers ahead for Obama. It would have been better if they could have got their story right first time, but i can go along with the fog of war argument.

Roy Greenslade looks at the arguments against super injunctions and privacy and isn't convinced the media is in the right.

Bennedict Brogan thinks that whilst Clegg looks like a loser, he is really a winner, well we will see after tonight. Steve Richards writes that the referendum is a big moment, whatever the outcome.