Scholes takes United to Moscow

It was a fitting reward for a player who missed out nine years ago when United lifted the trophy.

Scholes got the vital goal with a stunning strike in the 15th minute to set up an all-English showdown against either Liverpool or Chelsea in Moscow next month.

The hosts had barely threatened the Barcelona penalty area, let alone actually get into it when Xavi slid in to tackle Cristiano Ronaldo.

Inexplicably, Xavi tried to force a pass to Yaya Toure, only to find Scholes instead and he belted the ball magnificently past Victor Valdes.

Had Wes Brown or Nani found the net with flicked headers or Park Ji-Sung's precise strike not rolled just wide of the Barcelona net, United could have had the contest wrapped up by half-time.

That would have been a supreme injustice on the visitors who, with Samuel Eto'o as a formidable battering ram, Lionel Messi weaving his magic on the right wing and Deco a regular threat from deep positions, had United spending long periods chasing around the park.

Park was inches away from nodding home in the second half, while Deco's free-kick deflected wide at the other when many in the stadium feared it was on its way in.

Thierry Henry must have felt he had the equaliser as he met Deco's corner with a firm header, and again when he curled a shot goalwards from the edge of the box but on both occasions Edwin van der Sar saved.

The tension was almost unbearable, made worse due to prolonged treatment for Patrice Evra. But in the end Herbert Fandel blew his whistle and United were back where Sir Alex Ferguson believes they belong.