News of Fergie's Demise Greatly Exaggerated Football. Bloody Hell!

Sir Alex Ferguson knows the twisting plot of football all too well. The Treble, his crowning achievement, was only accomplished with a last minute flurry that left Bayern Munich wondering how the game can be so cruel. TV Camera's captured a stunned Lothar Matthus. Elation turned to anguish. At the Nou Camp, Barcelona, like Bayern nine years ago, took the game to United. Again at Old Trafford, they had the lion's share of possession. But as Arsenal will tell you, you need more than pretty triangles and fancy flicks to beat Manchester United. Ferguson has forged the Red Devils in his own own image. Character and sheer will to win are qualities that have served United teams well in the past and last night was no exception. Despite adversity Saturday's testy defeat at Chelsea coupled with the loss of Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic they regrouped and put in a performance that made a mockery of suggestions their season was falling apart. Barcelona played their part Lionel Messi probed throughout with darting runs and breathtaking turns. It is easy to see why his star has eclipsed Ronaldinho's. The Brazilian's departure this summer will surely be followed by others. But with Messi as their talisman, the Blaugranes will remain a force. United had to score first and they did, much to the relief of the Old Trafford faithful. From then on, United absorbed every Barca wave of attack with an air of impenetrability. Like the English cliffs that broke the Armada, they stood firm. Rio Ferdinand continued his immense season with a captain's performance and his defensive partner Wes Brown proved to be worth every penny of his new, improved contract. As is his custom, Carlos Tevez spent the night chasing and harrying Barcelona's defenders and he was joined by the tireless Ji-Sung Park in denying the Spaniards the space they had enjoyed at the Nou Camp. But the night was particularly sweet for Paul Scholes. After missing the final in '99 through suspension, Ferguson had promised the midfielder he would start if United made it to Moscow. The former England international has seen his workload greatly reduced over the past season and some United fans were questioning his place in the starting eleven after the first leg appeared to pass him by. Scholes answered the doubters in emphatic fashion, showing that his timeless ability to pop up in the right place at the right time will remain, even as his 33 year-old legs grow heavier. His spectacular strike proved that no special favors from Ferguson are required. He'll take his place in Moscow on merit. So, an all-English final is set. Chelsea must surely be favorites to meet United at the Luzhniki Stadium and, if they do, the fate of both club's seasons will be intertwined. Fifty years on from the Munich air disaster, United will feel they have destiny on their side. Yet Ferguson will tell you that football rarely follows a script.