Manchester United thrash Schalke to set up Barca showdown

(Reuters) - Manchester United will face Barcelona in a mouthwatering Champions League final later this month after they fielded a second-string side and still handed Schalke 04 a 4-1 thrashing on Wednesday.

United reached their third European Cup final in four seasons thanks to a 6-1 aggregate demolition of the Germans with two second-half goals from Anderson after Antonio Valencia and Darron Gibson had already put the tie out of reach.

Holding a 2-0 first-leg lead, United made nine changes for the match at Old Trafford to rest players for Sunday’s Premier League game with Chelsea and the deputies notched the highest aggregate win ever seen at this stage of the competition.

United manager Alex Ferguson said he expected a “fantastic final” against Barca on May 28 at Wembley where the two teams will be trying to lift their fourth European Cup at the stadium where they each won the trophy for the first time.

“This is the best competition in the world, all the best teams are there. To get to the final is an achievement itself, but to win it is the ultimate,” Ferguosn told Sky Sports.