Man United starting XI: Van Der Sar, Fabio Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Park, Rooney and Hernandez.
Subs: Kuszczak, Anderson, Smalling, Nani, Scholes, Rafael Da Silva, Evans.
Schalke had a very early opportunity, but Alexander Baumjohann fired his shot straight at Edwin Van Der Sar. Minutes later a right footed shot by Wayne Rooney caused problems for Manuel Neuer after taking a deflection, but the keeper flicked the ball away for a corner.
Not long after Neuer was called into action again, Ji-Sung Park cut in from the left, his shot was saved and the ball rebounded to Javier Hernandez but the Mexican was ruled offside. That was immediately followed by another chance for United, Antonio Valencia's cross found Hernandez, who brought out another save from Neuer.
Then it was Schalke who came close to opening up the scoring. Jefferson Farfan came close to curling the ball into the bottom corner but his effort was just wide of the post.
Neuer was forced to make another save after Hernandez beat the offside trap but his low shot was saved by Neuer's legs. Man United continued to have opportunities; Hernandez came close but his shot hit the side netting, then the Mexican broke into the box again but pulled the ball back to Rooney instead of shooting.
Hernandez had another chance in the 25th minute but hit his shot across the face of goal. Ryan Giggs came close with a header but a fantastic save from Neuer on the line prevented the goal.
Half an hour into the game, Schalke made a rare break into the Man United penalty area but Giggs was there to dispossess Baumjohann.
Man United had many chances within seconds to score, somehow the ball was kept out of the back of the net. Hernandez had the first shot, which was saved, then Park had a shot blocked by a defender, the rebound fell to to Giggs who shot wide.
An unmarked Fabio Da Silva shot over the bar, then Schalke went down the other end of the field and wanted a penalty. Baumjohann went down in the area after a challenge from Valencia but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.
Manchester United should have scored yet again with only a minute left of the first half but Neuer made another brilliant save.
Neuer was called into action again only minutes into the second half. A free-kick taken by Giggs was glanced on by Patrice Evra but Neuer denied the Frenchman.
Then came another miss from Giggs, Valencia's cross found Giggs but he skewed his shot wide. United did have the ball in the back of the net through Hernandez on the 49th minute but he was ruled offside.
Schalke had a few chances, Jefferson Farfan's cross was half cleared by Nemanja Vidic. The ball fell to Jose Jurado but he hit his shot wide. Vidic came close to giving United the lead with a flick towards goal from a cross in by Valencia but his effort was blocked.
Schalke had a few opportunities after the hour mark, Raul Gonzalez found Peer Kluge from a corner, his shot was blocked but the ball fell to Raul, his cross was headed behind for a corner by Rio Ferdinand. A couple of minutes later, Edu had a shot saved by Van Der Sar.
Man United finally took the lead after Rooney's through ball found Giggs who was clean through and hit the ball through Neuer's legs.
United had another goal only a few minutes later, Hernandez won the ball, he played in Rooney who slotted the ball past Neuer.
With a two goal cushion and an important Premier League game away to Arsenal at the weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Oliveira Anderson and Paul Scholes for Hernandez and Park.
Schalke did force a good save out of Van Der Sar, Sergio Escudero hit a shot from 25-yards out but was well saved by United's keeper.
A couple of minutes later Luis Nani was brought on for Rooney. Evra came inches away from giving United a three goal lead after Nani hit the ball over Schalke's defence, Evra got onto the end of the ball but hit his shot just wide of the post.
The game finished 2-0 and Man United go into the game against Schalke next week at Old Trafford with a two goal lead.
Great performance by the lads that was could have easily been 4,5-1 on the night but 2-0 absolutely fantastic result away from home. Still have yet to concede away which is just remarkable really.
Trying not to get too carried away as there is another game to be played and if Schalke can go to Milan and crush Inter 5-2 or 5-3 whatever it was then it should in reality be a much tougher game. Having said that i cant see us losing let alone by two goals at Old Trafford.
More of the same next week please.