Manchester United Come Of Age

Man Utd mature in search of Euro glory

Sir Alex Ferguson's greatest triumphs have been built on a desire to play with a style and verve he believes is demanded at Manchester United. Ferguson insists United must never be seen to take a backward step - with any other course of action being regarded as a betrayal of Old Trafford traditions.

It has proved irresistible at home as Ferguson has cleaned up on the domestic scene, but an Achilles heel in Europe as United's high-risk approach failed too often at the crucial times in the Champions League.

Ferguson admits one Champions League win in his silver-lined Old Trafford era is a meagre return for the talent he has had at his disposal. But they delivered an all-round display against Barcelona that confirmed their growing maturity on the European stage this season.

Robbed of key duo Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic, United simply found new heroes to lead them to glory against a Barcelona side who threatened right up until the last of six nail-biting minutes of injury.

The win was the result of a magnificent display of defensive discipline and resilience that came from the very top drawer.

Paul Scholes - the great United servant who missed the 1999 triumph through suspension - will deservedly claim the glory for a spectacular winning goal that gives him a shot at redemption in Moscow.

Heroes were everywhere as United held firm faced by a team with greater artistic merit, but not the hunger or desire to pierce the red wall of defiance.