UEFA Champions League Semi-Final: Manchester United 1 Barcelona 0

Manchester United reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since winning the competition nine years ago as Paul Scholes's spectacular early strike proved enough to edge a pulsating semi-final against Barcelona.

Scholes delight
Fittingly it was the one survivor of that 1998/99 squad in the starting lineup, Scholes – who missed the 2-1 final victory against Bayern München through suspension, and had been guaranteed his place in this season's showpiece by Sir Alex Ferguson provided United got there – who scored the only goal of the tie.

The midfielder collected a loose pass from Gianluca Zambrotta and unleashed a viciously swerving long-range shot into the top corner.

Barcelona pressed for a way back but struggled to create chances against a well-marshalled United defence, whose discipline and commitment ensured the first all-English final in European Champion Clubs' Cup history, against Chelsea or Liverpool in Moscow on 21 May.

Tables turned
United had been urged to "enjoy it" by Ryan Giggs but it was the visitors who settled first, producing some neat interplay with Lionel Messi making two threatening runs at a United back line shorn of Nemanja Vidić due to a facial injury.

If Barça had the better of the opening exchanges, however, United turned the tide emphatically in the 14th minute as Zambrotta dispossessed Cristiano Ronaldo on the edge of the area only to direct his pass straight at Scholes, who duly thumped an unstoppable effort past Víctor Valdés from 25 metres.

Messi denied
The celebrations reverberated around Old Trafford although a reminder of the danger still posed by Barcelona was not long in coming.

Messi skipped past Scholes and inside Wes Brown before forcing Edwin van der Sar to palm away his well-directed attempt from just outside the box.