Edwin Van Der Sar- Didn't have much to do to be honest, but what he did do he did well, solid throughout, and he'll be a big miss for United next season.
Rating: 7
John O'Shea- Captain for the night, O'Shea was one of the voices of experience in a youthful Manchester United team. His switch from left to right back mid way through the second half illustrated what a versatile instrument he is, and with Rafael limping off, he could be called upon again in the run in.
Rating: 9
Chris Smalling- Smalling has enjoyed some great nights thus far in his United career, but this wasn't one of them. It was his mistake that led to Schalke's lone goal on the night, though he did put the ball into the net, only to see his first Old Trafford goal be chalked off (correctly) for offside.
Rating: 5
Jonny Evans- After a brilliant run last season, Evans' place as the exciting up and coming center back at United has been usurped by Chris Smalling. However, the Irishman enjoyed a confidence building, albeit hardly strenuous night at Old Trafford, performing solidly in an easy win.
Rating: 6.5
Rafael- In recent weeks, it has been Fabio holding up the flag for the Da Silva family, while Rafael has been consigned to the bench due to a niggling injury. Tonight however, it was Rafael in the starting line up, and the Brazilian performed well, attacking with speed, and connecting superbly with Antonio Valencia.
Rating: 6.5
Luis Nani- Nani was left out of the starting line up for Manchester United's tie in Germany, and the Portuguese international will certainly have been pleased by his inclusion in the second leg. His cross led to Anderson's first goal of the night, and both he and the effervescent Valencia were thorns in the sides of the Schalke full backs.
Rating: 8
Antonio Valencia- Valencia opened the scoring in this one, with a fine slotted finish after being played through by Darren Gibson. Just moments later, the Ecuadorian returned the compliment, teeing up Gibson for his first Champions League goal of the season. Valencia combined well with both Rafael and O'Shea down the right, and his speed was a useful outlet whenever the Red Devils were put under any serious Schalke pressure.
Rating: 9
Paul Scholes- After sitting out a series of matches due to suspension, Paul Scholes made a return to the starting line up, and delivered the type of performance that we know a well rested Scholes can produce. His superb range of passing was again apparent, though on a yellow card, he walked a tight rope for the last twenty minutes or so.
Rating: 7.5
Darren Gibson- Gibson has been in the news for all the wrong reasons over the past few weeks, after his Twitter account was terminated just ninety-seven minutes in, due to endless abuse from disappointed United fans. In the wake of that incident, Special One TV reported that it was the first time Gibson would complete ninety minutes this season, a feat that the Irishman did manage to achieve in this game. Much improved from earlier in the season, Gibson got the ball rolling with a delicious through ball for Antonio Valencia, reminiscent of Iniesta's pass to Pedro yesterday. The United youngster even scored a goal of his own minutes later, smashing in a shot that was rather fortuitously defected into the net via the gloves of Manuel Neuer.
Rating: 9
Anderson- After scoring two goals in almost four years at United, Anderson doubled his tally in just ten minutes in this match. His first came after a good spin and a powerful shot, while his second was an easy tap in courtesy of some majestic off the ball movement from Dimitar Berbatov. Anderson commanded the midfield for periods of today's match, his powerful running opened up huge amounts of space particularly in the latter stages, a quality that will come in handy over the next few weeks.
Rating: 8
Dimitar Berbatov- This match marked Berbatov's first start since his ill fated performance at Wembley, and though the Bulgarian failed to end his long standing Champions League goalscoring drought, he still performed admirably. Berbatov's clever run and unselfish play led to Anderson's second of the night, however, he still waits for that first European goal in three years, maybe it will come with a serving of redemption, at Wembley.
Rating: 7
Subs: Patrice Evra: 6.5
Darren Fletcher: 6
Michael Owen: 6.5
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