Ryan Giggs and the excellent Wayne Rooney scored United's goals in a three-minute second-half spell in the semi-last first leg at the Vetlins-Arena.
Previous to that, though, Sir Alex Ferguson's males had wasted an astonishing 13 probabilities to attain - 11 of them coming earlier than the break.
It left Schalke needing a 3-objective triumph to progress to a gathering with either Real Madrid or Barcelona. On this proof, United have completely nothing to worry about.
And for Rooney specifically, a fifth European Cup closing for the Crimson Devils - on the bottom where they gained their first in 1968 - means private redemption, having returned to the Gelsenkirchen arena the place he was sent off on his last go to for England, to produce a wondrous performance that confirmed his renaissance beyond any doubt.
As United trudged in at half-time, they can not have recognized whether or not to laugh or cry.
Their tempo, energy and precision was simply an excessive amount of for Schalke, who had been opened up with a regularity barely credible at this stage of the game.
Extremely although, the score remained goalless.
Beginning with a Rooney effort that flicked off Atsuto Uchida and compelled Manuel Neuer into the first of a series of magnificent saves, and ending with a last-minute opportunity when Giggs raced onto a Rooney via-ball and did not beat the Germany number one, United created 11 clear chances.
Had they finished that over the period of both legs, Ferguson would probably have been quite pleased.
To take action in a single half, and to not take any of them, defied belief.
Rooney may solely have wished he was on the top of some.
Instead, Park Ji-sung had two alternatives charged down, Giggs was denied by Neuer twice and Fabio flashed a half-volley over the bar.
By far the worst offender was Javier Hernandez.
Lauded to the skies in current weeks after a collection of well timed interventions which have despatched United surging towards a record 19th league title, the Mexican was an excessive amount of for Schalke's beleaguered defence.
For as soon as, although, the 22-yr-outdated had left his taking pictures boots at home.
Whether he was being set up by Antonio Valencia, excellent on the precise wing, Rooney or Park, Hernandez simply couldn't find the target.
Partly it was his fault as shots flew large of the Schalke goal, while on different occasions Neuer was in the way.
It seems the Germany keeper is on his technique to Bayern Munich this summer, which for United is a pity, as a result of on this evidence he would be a worthy successor to Edwin van der Sar, who's retiring at the end of the season.
On a file-equalling thirteenth semi-last appearance, Van der Sar was a virtual bystander as soon as he had made a few early stops to disclaim Jefferson Farfan.
Worryingly for Ferguson, the profligacy simply continued after the restart.
Neuer denied Michael Carrick with an excellent fingertip save however, when the Schalke defence opened up for Giggs shortly afterwards, the Welshman's effort together with his weaker proper foot was woeful.
There will need to have been a huge fear in the United camp that Schalke would quickly start to show the form that received them to this stage of the competitors and put 5 targets past Inter Milan on the San Siro within the quarter-final.
Thankfully for Ferguson and his group, they did some harm first.
Rooney was the architect of the opener, threading a fine ball by means of to Giggs who, with his left foot, calmly slotted home.
Within three minutes, United had another probability as Hernandez set up Rooney. From 10 yards and in a similar position to Giggs, he was never likely to miss as he bagged his 14th aim of the season.
In the information that a three-objective triumph for Schalke at Old Trafford in eight days' time is not possible to imagine, Ferguson's introduction of Anderson and Paul Scholes was designed purely to shore up the midfield.
It labored, too, permitting United to stroll house and let their minds wander in direction of Sunday's Barclays Premier League journey to Arsenal.
Schalke 04 Neuer, Uchida, Matip, Metzelder,Sarpei (Escudero seventy two), Farfan, Papadopoulos,Jurado (Draxler 82), Baumjohann (Kluge 53), Raul, Edu.
Subs Not Used: Schober, Plestan, Charisteas, Karimi.
Man Utd Van der Sar, Fabio Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra,Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Park (Scholes seventy three), Rooney (Nani 83),Hernandez (Anderson seventy three).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Smalling, Rafael Da Silva, Evans.
