MU reached the UEFA Champions League final

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

Quite rightly, he was one of the survivors of this team 1998/99 in the starting lineup, Scholes - who missed the 2-1 final victory against FC Bayern Munich through suspension, and was guaranteed its place in this jewel of the season by Sir Alex Ferguson at United condition he - who scored the only goal of equality. The midfielder collected a pass from Gianluca Zambrotta lose and violently unleashed a swerving long-range shot in the upper corner.

Barcelona pressed for a return but struggling to create chances against a well-referenced United defence, discipline and commitment to ensure the first English final in European club champions Cup history, against Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC Moscow on May 21.

Manchester United ended up 1-0 at the break after a compelling first half which saw Barcelona start the strongest before a superb strike from Paul Scholes put the Red Devils blue in the face.

This was the signal for United to enjoy a period of domination but Barca fought to wrest control in midfield with an inventive and technically capable of football in which Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Deco all questions to move before the United States. Yet it is not enough.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has again gauge his team when both Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic was ruled out Rooney with a hip injury and Vidic after the injury he suffered on his face against Chelsea on Saturday. Ferguson has responded by making six changes to his side, top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo back in the starting line-at the same time that Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes and Park Ji-Sung.

For Barcelona, ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has been named among the substitutes by manager Frank Rijkaard.

Teams:

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Evra, Park, Scholes, Carrick, Nani, Ronaldo, Tevez.
Subs: Kuszczak, Anderson, Giggs, O'Shea, Fletcher, Silvestre, Welbeck

Barcelona: Valdes, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Toure Yaya, Messi, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Eto'o.
Subs: Pinto, Gudjohnsen, Henry, Edmilson, Sylvinho, Thuram, Bojan

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Germany)


photo: gettyimage