English Premier League leaders Manchester United will be looking to overcome their German jinx on Tuesday evening as they take on Schalke 04 in the first leg of their Champions League semi finals at the Veltins-Arena in Germany.

Alex Ferguson and Ralf Rangnick

Though Manchester United are favourites to beat Schalke and qualify for the finals to contend for a 4^th Champions League title, the English team has not beaten a German team in this competition at the seminal final stage. Man U has in the past lost to Borussia Dortmund in 1996-97 and Bayer Leverkusen in 2001-02 semi finals.

But Schalke will not be looking to German luck as they must play well and hope to continue their good form in the Champions League after they ousted current Champions league holders Inter Milan with a comfortable six goals.

But being 10^th in the German Bundesliga and playing against the English Premiership leaders will be some big concern for Shackle 04 manager Ralf Rangnick. But they can count on a very loayal fan base and home soil this evening to ensure they get a good result from the first led on home soil.

But Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson will be keen to put up his strongest team to ensure he keeps grips on winning the Champions League as he continues to face pressure in his Premiership campaign.

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