ABU DHABI // Gary Neville has competed in 17 Champions League campaigns with Manchester United, but the recently retired right-back says he has never witnessed a better performance away from home in Europe's elite competition than the display his former teammates put on against Schalke last week.
United won the match in Gelsenkirchen 2-0, but it could have been far worse for the German side were it not for Manuel Neuer, their goalkeeper. The two-legged tie reconvenes tonight at Old Trafford and Neville is confident there will be no complacency on show.
"The way we played last Tuesday in Germany was just fantastic - it's the best performance I have ever seen by a Manchester United team away from home in Europe," said Neville, who having travelled to the UAE to train youngsters at the club's Abu Dhabi-based soccer school, will watch the second leg here before immediately flying home.
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• Barcelona battle Real and elements to reach final
• Fortune has smiled on Schalke goalkeeper Neuer
• Rangnick believes Schalke can turn the tie around
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"The way we dominated from the first minute right through to the end, it could have been 5-0 and the game could have been over. At 2-0 we are still in a very good position, but you still think if they were to get an away goal, then they could get confident. I would still expect us to finish the tie off though."
With Barcelona beating Real Madrid last night, a replay of the 2009 Champions League final seems destined. The Spaniards triumphed two years ago at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, revenge for the previous year when Neville and his teammates defeated Barcelona 1-0 in the semi-finals.
But with this year's May 28 finale scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium, Neville knows his side will be extra motivated.
"What an opportunity to play a European Cup final at Wembley against Barcelona," he said. "Of course, it's very difficult to beat them; they are one of the best teams, certainly over the past decade, but we've done it before. We beat them on the way to success in 2008 and we did that by stopping them scoring. We scored a fantastic goal through Paul Scholes, so it's been proven it can be done."
Neville added: "Everybody talks about Barcelona and they do have some fantastic players, but we have shown that we are the one team who can beat them in the semi-final and final. It won't be easy, but we have players who can stick to the task and make it difficult for them."
The 36-year-old Englishman is in no doubt that the two potential finalists are the dual giants of European football and he sees this year's final as the decider regarding continental supremacy.
"This would be our third Champions League final [in recent seasons] and it will be Barcelona's third as well, so certainly the two clubs have been dominant.
"There's not that much changed in the past three years and I think this game will signify who has been the most dominant team in Europe over that period."
Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, is expected to use several fringe players tonight, including a rare start for Michael Owen.
Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs are set to be rested at Old Trafford ahead of Sunday's crucial Premier League match against Chelsea.
"I will probably keep my experienced players at the back," Ferguson said. "We have a big week ahead ... two massive games."
Although Rooney is set to be rested at Old Trafford, Ferguson could still deploy Dimitar Berbatov alongside Michael Owen.
10.45pm, Aljazeera Sport +3
