The enduring talents of Ryan Giggs and Raul are likely to decide who faces Barcelona or Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Giggs, 37, and Raul, 35, have been the star men in both Manchester United's relative cruise to the semis and Schalke's surprise arrival there.
Looking at it on paper, you would say United were lucky - that they got the easiest route to the final with Schalke rather than Barca or Real.
But the Germans are no one's fools and could pull off another shock if Utd are not at their very best, or if Giggsy gets injured beforehand.
I still go for United to triumph with maybe a 2-1 win in Germany and a 1-1 draw at OT. United's record against German teams (apart from 1999 of course) does leave a lot to desire, and they will have to overcome that particular 'jinx' if they are to go on to Wembley.
In the other semi, I know Barca should win, but who can write off Mourinho? He has set up a disciplined, hard-to-beat and yet attacking force and they could just upset the odds.
About Me
- Frank Worrall
- is a Fleet Street journalist who has written regularly for The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Mail on Sunday, FourFourTwo magazine, Melody Maker/NME and many other newspapers and magazines. The subjects of his critically-acclaimed books include Gareth Bale, Roy Keane, Lewis Hamilton, Alex Ferguson and Rory McIlroy.