United will play Chelsea or Liverpool at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Wednesday 21st May in what will be their third European Cup final.

Paul Scholes struck a right-footed shot into the top corner from long range after a misplaced pass from Gianluca Zambrotta after 14 minutes of the second leg at Old Trafford.

United - without injured duo Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic - had chances to extend their lead in the first half but lived on the edge after the break as the Catalans threatened to score a crucial away goal.

But the hosts held on to their slim advantage and, with the first leg at the Nou Camp having ended goalless, United progressed 1-0 on aggregate to an all-English showdown in Russia.

The goal came against the run of play, after Cristiano Ronaldo had jinked past one challenge before losing out to Zambrotta.

But the Italian's attempted clearance found only Scholes, who lashed a shot into the top corner that left Victor Valdes helpless.