Schalke bemoan timidity shown against Manchester United

(GETTY IMAGES)

Schalke's director of sport Horst Heldt said his side lacked courage last night as they were humbled 4-1 by Manchester United to crash out of the Champions League 6-1 on aggregate.

After seeing United's team selection, Heldt admitted he had felt his side had a chance to overturn the 2-0 deficit from the home leg last week.

However, his team did not take the chance and, instead, seemed overawed by the occasion.

"We lacked courage," said Heldt. "Of course we are disappointed.

"When you see the Manchester United teamsheet before kick-off then of course that gives you hope.

"Of course you have to say they put out a B team, but they are still top drawer.

"We were just unable to match them in both games."

Heldt said it was particularly disappointing not to be competitive having knocked out defending champions Inter Milan in such style in the quarter-finals to reach the last four for the first time in the club's history.

"We made it to the semi-finals and that is more than anybody could expect, yet when you get so far, you do hope to be able to compete with your opponent," he added.

"Everybody has got to believe in the win and if somebody doesn't, then we have a problem."

Defender Benedikt Howedes told reporters that the team were extremely disappointed with the way they were rolled over at Old Trafford, although he recognised the achievement in reaching the last four.

"This is not the ending that we had wished for," he said.

"We saw in both games that Manchester were superior. Anderson, Berbatov, Nani - they are not a B-team in my eyes.

"They are excellent players who have shown their quality.

"But we can all be proud to have made the semi-finals."

Schalke could still win a piece of silverware this season as they prepare for a trip to Berlin later this month for the final of the DFB-Pokal, where they face second division Duisburg.

Before that, they have two more Bundesliga fixtures to complete and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says they will be particularly important for morale.

"We now need something to celebrate - we need to get points and play good games in view of the cup final," he said.