The former Spain forward and Champions League all-time top goalscorer has been at the heart of Schalke's run to the last four. After leaving Real Madrid last year after 16 trophy-rich seasons, Raul has scored five times for Schalke in the competition while the Bundesliga side have won five out of five at home.
United know all too well of Raul's qualities as a matchwinner, his two goals for Real at Old Trafford in 2000 knocked the current Premier League side out of the competition.
Schalke's demolition job on holders Inter Milan in the last eight will also have left United in no doubt that the German outfit are no soft option, a view that should be reinforced by their poor record against Bundesliga sides.
"The German teams have always had a resilience and determination about them and that will be exactly the same on Tuesday," said Sir Alex Ferguson, whose side lost to Bayern in last year's quarter-finals.
"But we're going into this game with far more experience than in previous years and our experience away from home, and our record, in the last few years has been terrific."
"We will have a different starting team against United," said Rangnick, who took over from sacked Felix Magath a month ago. "If I had chosen the same team on Tuesday that I did today I don't think we would have a big chance to win against Manchester."
Midfielder Jose Jurado, who came on as a substitute on Saturday, is also expected to start in Schalke's maiden Champions League semi-final appearance.
For Schalke's 25-year-old captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is set to leave in the summer after a staggering 20 years at the Ruhr valley club, there could not be a more appropriate farewell.
"Manchester may have won their last league game but it was not all victories before that. So we know very well that we have a chance against them on Tuesday."
