"We just have to use our experience and try to quieten their crowd down as much as we can by keeping possession. An away goal is always nice. But it is not the be all and end all. We know if we are in sight when we come back to Old Trafford, we always have a great chance."
- John O'Shea John O'Shea says an away goal isn't the "be all and end all" as United look to impose themselves on Schalke in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
The defender expects the Reds to use their experience and dampen the enthusiasm of the home fans at the Veltins-Arena, bidding to extend a remarkable record of not conceding a goal away from home in the competition all season.
After putting some injury problems behind him, the Irishman is determined to play his part as United aim for a dream Wembley final against Real Madrid or Barcelona.
"I wouldn't say that," he replied, when asked if he was pleased to be facing a side that cannot be considered a European giant. "They have reached a Champions League semi-final. They have got to be a good team.
"We are aware we are favourites, which adds a bit of pressure. But we were aware, if we got past Chelsea, who we would get because of Schalke's result in the first-leg against Inter. Any team who can score so many goals against Inter Milan has to have something about them.
"Fair enough, they are not in the top two or three in the Bundesliga but they have gone on a hell of a Champions League run. We have to be aware of that. Their fans, we believe, make it a special atmosphere. We just have to use our experience and try to quieten their crowd down as much as we can by keeping possession. An away goal is always nice. But it is not the be all and end all. We know if we are in sight when we come back to Old Trafford, we always have a great chance.
"We have to make sure we show them our history, why we have got to finals, why we have won them, why we have been in this situation many times before. We have to impose ourselves whilst understanding the threats we have, which we will have to cope with.
"I am sure the manager is fully aware of how German teams have caused him some upset down through the years. He will have us well prepared to make sure that doesn't happen this time."
As for his season on a personal front, O'Shea was disappointed to miss so much of the campaign but pleased to be available with a maximum of seven games remaining.
"It has been a little bit frustrating," he conceded. "Obviously the injury last season kept me out for four months. I tore my calf and had a little tear in my hamstring this season which kept me out for six weeks. It was three and a half for the hamstring. But they came at vital times of the season and I missed quite a few games. But thankfully I am fit at the important time and fully available for the manager.
"Everyone has come back to fitness at the right time. That is good for the manager. If I go through my whole career with just a calf injury and a hamstring and a strange leg injury I will be very lucky. It is just one of those things. Hopefully they are behind me now."
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