Frank Rijkaard's long-term future as Barcelona manager is hanging by a very fine thread indeed this morning after Man Utd consigned his side to a second successive season without silverware to set up what will be the first ever all-English Champions League final.

The only goal of the two-leg tie came in the 14th minute when Scholes was gifted possession just outside the area after a terrible mistake by Gianlucca Zambrotta. Without pausing to think twice, the veteran midfielder unleashed a Charltonesque right-footed drive that swerved away from the outstretched left hand of the diving Valdés into the top corner of the net.

Lionel Messi was arguably the visitors' biggest threat up front in the absence of the injured Ronaldinho, and he forced a crucial save soon within five minutes of Scholes's goal after a typical jinking run into the area from the right.

With Barcelona still only needing just the one away goal to qualify, the lively tempo continued throughout with both sides managing to create a handful of decent chances.

Special mention goes to Carlos Tévez and Park Ji-Sung for their tireless defending, especially in the final stages, in front of a makeshift back four with Wes Brown deputising for the injured Vidic at centre-back and Owen Hargreaves filling in at right-back.

With Chelsea enjoying the luxury of an unexpected first-leg away goal, Liverpool are the underdogs as the two other semi-finalists battle it out at Stamford Bridge tonight for the remaining berth in the final that will be played in Moscow on May 21st.