Paul adds up for United

On a night of drama at Old Trafford in which Barcelona played some outstanding attacking football, it was hardly more fitting that Scholes scored the goal that secured his club their place in the showdown on May 21.

Scholes was suspended for United’s epic victory over Bayern Munich in the 1999 final, and Ferguson had already said he would play in the final if they qualified. He duly responded with a brilliant swerving shot that went high and wide of goalkeeper Victor Valdes in the 14th minute, second leg to give United a 1-0 aggregate victory.

“It was a fantastic goal,” Ferguson said. “He has come through the ranks here and is one of the great players this club has had.”

It will be United’s third European Cup final following their earlier successes over Benfica at Wembley in 1968 and Bayern in Barcelona in 1999 when they won the treble of European Cup, FA Cup and Premier League.

BARCELONA, and especially their Argentine winger Lionel Messi, threatened time and again with some inspired approach play but were thwarted by brilliant defending from United’s back line with defenders Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown outstanding.

The game burst into life from the kickoff with Scholes, making just about his only mistake of the night, fortunate not to concede a penalty for a foul on Messi just inches outside the box after only 30 seconds.

Four free-kicks inside the first three minutes indicated the passion and commitment of both teams.

Both teams were also looking to get the decisive breakthrough as soon as possible with Messi involved in almost every Barca raid.

Decisive strike

UNITED though did strike the decisive goal when Cristiano Ronaldo attempted to run at the Barca defence but lost the ball to Gianluca Zambrotta whose misplaced pass found Scholes.

He controlled it, let it bounce and then swerved it past Valdes from 25 yards. It was his 21st goal in his 101st Champions League appearance but only his second goal in any competition this season.

Barcelona’s best chance came from Messi, who weaved his way past Scholes and Brown after 20 minutes and forced Edwin van der Sar into a diving clearance.

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