In pictures - Schalke v Manchester United

Few would have expected Schalke to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League – certainly not after losing their first four games at the start of the season. But the German club have knocked the likes of Internazionale and Valencia out of Europe's top competition since then, hence the apprehension writ on Alex Ferguson's face Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Ferguson has paired Javier Hernández and Wayne Rooney up front, while Dimitar Berbatov is injured and Nani waits on the bench Photograph: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images

Schalke's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer leaps to claim the ball above the head of the little Mexican Hernández. Not much of a contest there Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

But Hernández isn't shy in the challenge when the ball falls within his range, as Schalke's Ghanaian defender Hans Sarpei can attest Photograph: Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images

Only last week Neuer declined a new contract at Schalke, effectively ending his 20-year association with the club. Schalke's fans must have received that news with regret. The German is proving himself a fine keeper tonight, denying United time and again Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP

First he foils Hernández ... Photograph: Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images

And then Ryan Giggs Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images

Even deflected shots can't beat him Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Rooney looks increasingly frustrated. Wonder how long it'll be before he has an argument with someone? Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Not long Photograph: Alex Domanski/Reuters

Ferguson and his substitutes look a touch uneasy as the game reaches half-time without a goal Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Schalke spurn occasional scoring opportunities on the break. Here, Joel Matip leaps highest as Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand collide Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Speaking of collisions, Christoph Metzelder and Hernandez take a tumble Photograph: Thomas Bohlen/Reuters

After 67 minutes of dominance, Rooney slides a clever ball through to Giggs who slots his shot under the onrushing Neuer, finally giving United the lead Photograph: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images

Giggs and his team-mates celebrate with evident relief Photograph: Michael Sohn/AP

They're all getting involved - it's like a team huddle out there Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Two minutes later Rooney side-foots the ball between the keeper and his near post to give United a two-goal lead Photograph: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images

Rooney runs off to celebrate with Hernández. United now have the cushion their adventurous play has merited and with it they've given themselves a strong chance of reaching the Champions League final at Wembley Photograph: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images

Hernandez may not have scored tonight but his contribution has been valuable Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Ralf Rangnick, the Schalke coach, looks decidedly glum. The memory of his side's 5-2 victory over Inter in Italy in the quarter-final must seem distant Photograph: Alex Domanski/Reuters

United's players are delighted at the final whistle. Heck, even Ferguson was seen smiling Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Ferguson later described Neuer's performance as one of the greatest he'd ever seen against United – perhaps a veiled effort to coax the German to Old Trafford next term. If Schalke are to stand any hope in the second leg of this tie, Neuer will need his team-mates to join him on the football pitch next week Photograph: Frank Augstein/AP