Manchester United [ Images ] striker Dimitar Berbatov [ Images ] will miss the Champions League [ Images ] semi-final first leg against Schalke 04 with a groin injury, the Premier League leaders said on Monday.

The Bulgarian has not travelled to Germany [ Images ] for Tuesday's match after sitting out Saturday's 1-0 victory over Everton, United said on their website.

Despite being the Premier League's top scorer with 21 goals, Berbatov has become a peripheral player with Mexican goal poacher Javier Hernandez [ Images ] often preferred as a partner for the deeper-lying Wayne Rooney [ Images ].