Sir Alex Ferguson would do well to heed his friend’s warning: there are 10 other men in blue willing to extend Manchester United’s miserable record in Germany.
Manuel Neuer Goalkeeper, Age: 25
Captain and icon, Ferguson will know all about the Germany international: he has sent scouts to watch him several times this season. Neuer has confessed that he will not renew his contract and is expected to shun United’s interest for Bayern Munich this summer.
Atsuto Uchida Right-back, Age: 23
Uchida will become the first Japanese player to feature in a Champions League semi-final should he, rather than Chinese international Hao Junmin, feature against United. He moved to Germany last year after coming to prominence with Kashima Antlers.
Benedikt Höwedes Centre-back, Age: 23
Reared in the same youth system as Neuer and Mesut Özil, the Real Madrid player and a potential opponent in the final, the graceful defender was locally rated the most promising of the three. Widely expected to receive international recognition soon.
Christoph Metzelder Centre-back, Age: 30
Tasked with leading Schalke’s back line, the veteran Germany international, currently sporting a face mask to protect a cheekbone injury, cuts a daunting figure. Spells at Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid were blighted by injury, but his talent is not in doubt.
Hans Sarpei Left-back, Age: 34
Likely to be preferred to the more exhilarating, but less defensively sound Sergio Escudero, the versatile full-back will be expected to call on 13 years of Bundesliga experience to stifle the creativity of either Antonio Valencia or Nani.
Joël Matip Defensive midfielder, Age: 19
The Cameroonian may be drafted into central defence if Höwedes does not recover from a stomach muscle problem in time, but otherwise will be expected to patrol the area in front of Schalke’s occasionally chaotic back four.
Kyriakos Papadopoulos Defensive midfielder, Age: 19
Signed from Olympiakos for £4.6 million last summer, Papadopoulos is the youngest player yet to feature in the Greek top flight and has continued to develop at a prodigious rate in Germany. A bundle of energy and strong in the tackle, he will provide a formidable obstacle.
Jefferson Farfán Right winger, Age: 26
The Peru international has been at this stage before, with PSV Eindhoven, but would be forgiven for being surprised to discover himself here again. He was almost sold to Wolfsburg in January before blossoming after Ralf Rangnick replaced Felix Magath as coach.
José Manuel Jurado Left winger, Age: 24
Schalke’s main creative force, it is little surprise Jurado and Raúl dovetail so well. Both played at one Madrid club before shining at the other – though Jurado left Real for Atlético – and both have suffered for their versatility. Jurado is more at home in a central role, but will be deployed wide on the left.
Edu Striker, Age: 29
Roving the front line ahead of Raúl, the Brazilian is probably the unlikeliest player in the semi-finals. After unimpressive spells for some of Germany’s lesser lights – Bochum, Mainz – Edu was plucked by Schalke from obscurity in South Korea 18 months ago.