Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Ferguson hails hero Scholes

30 Apr 2008 - 07:45:38

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Sir Alex Ferguson hailed matchwinner Paul Scholes and promised the veteran midfielder a place in the starting line-up for the Champions League Final after his Barcelona heroics.

Scholes secured United's first return to the final since 1999 with a stunning 25-yard strike in a 1-0 semi-final second leg and aggregate victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night.

The 32-year-old missed United's victory in the final in Barcelona nine years ago through suspension, but will definitely play in the first all-English showpiece in Moscow against either Chelsea or Liverpool.

"It is great for Paul to be in the final," said Ferguson. "It was a fantastic goal.

"I don't think you can expect him to score 10 or 15 goals a season like he used to.

"But when he gets one like that it makes up for the ones he can't score. It is a marvellous moment for him.

"He's one of the great players to come through the ranks here."

Meanwhile, Ferguson admitted his side had to survive a nervous second half to book their place in the final.

"We needed a fantastic performance and we got one," he continued.

"I knew it was going to be a long night but I felt we could have scored three or four in the first half.

"It was a bit nervy in the second because they had to have a go at 1-0 down.

"But we got through that spell and, in the last 15 minutes, I didn't think they made any chances.

"It was emotional at the end but you expect that at a semi-final. The important thing is that we are there and we deserve to be there."