International
Scholes blasts United into Moscow final
Paul Scholes ended nine years of personal torment by blasting Manchester United into the Champions League final.
Scholes' 14th-minute strike ensured Moscow will host an all-English affair on May 21, with championship challengers Chelsea or old rivals Liverpool lying in wait to provide the opposition for United.
But while Sir Alex Ferguson looks for the second European Cup that eluded Sir Matt Busby and, so far, him, for Scholes the Luzhniki Stadium represents a night to savour.
For, when Ferguson is reminded of that spine-tingling victory over Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp, two of his favourite sons are always missing.
One is Roy Keane, the now Sunderland manager who famously spoke of his discomfort at being part of proceedings in his grey suit.
The other is Scholes.
Never one to offer three words when one will do, Scholes has always claimed not to be haunted by the fact he was a bystander on such a famous occasion.
But secretly, it must hurt. It certainly hurts Ferguson, who has always regarded the midfield maestro as one of the most influential players of his generation.
So there was something fitting about Scholes being the man who should thrash United in front.
Having already said he would hand the former England midfielder a starting berth if they reached the final, his second goal of the season sealed the deal.
Asked if he would make the first XI in Moscow, Ferguson admitted: ''Absolutely. He's one of the great players to come through the ranks here.
''But I'm so pleased for everyone.
''It's a great feeling, marvellous for this club. This club deserves to be in the final. It's fantastic.''
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.
His last European goal might have been in October 2006 but the 32-year-old lacks nothing in confidence and from 30 yards magnificently belted the ball beyond 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 but on this night, with so much at stake, pity is not an emotion that was felt by any United supporters.
The overwhelming feeling at the interval was probably one of fear.
If Barcelona did not enjoy quite so much possession as they had on home soil last week, they were not far off.
With Samuel Eto'o a formidable battering ram, Lionel Messi weaving his magic on the right wing and Deco a regular threat from deep positions, United spent long periods chasing around the park, attempting to douse fires as they arose.
Just as they were six days ago, Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown - an unused substitute in 1999 - paired together at the heart of United's defence with Nemanja Vidic injured, were towers of strength, bonded in a common desire to keep Barcelona at bay.
Yet even they could not prevent Deco unleashing two skimming half-volleys which went narrowly wide.
With Wayne Rooney not even fit enough to be risked on the bench in case of emergency, Ronaldo was pushed up front, with Park out wide, a move which benefited the South Korean, if not the new PFA Player of the Year.
Ronaldo did provide the cross that Nani thought he had prodded goalwards, only for Eric Abidal to touch it wide as United started the second period with an intent, desire and dominance absent from game-and-a-half.
Valdes then produced a fine stop to deny Carlos Tevez as United attempted to turn the screw, knowing full well that, as Thierry Henry took the field, an away goal would send Barcelona through.
It was a position made for attack and counter-attack and finally, the players of whom so much is expected gave free rein to their talents.
Park was inches away from nodding home at one end, Deco's free-kick deflected wide at the other when many in the stadium feared it was on its way in. Messi; toying and teasing, Ronaldo; striking fear into Barca hearts every time he touched the ball.
Henry, so often the scourge of United in his memorable Arsenal days, 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, but in the end United, after some resolute defending, were back where Ferguson believes they belong.
4:03am Wednesday 30th April 2008
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