Manchester United are through to their first European Cup final in nine years after Paul Scholes' spectacular strike gave them a slender 1-0 aggregate win over Barcelona at Old Trafford last night.

Scholes, who was suspended for the 1999 final, fired in a swerving 25-yard effort after only 14 minutes to beat the Spanish giants and set up an all-English final with either Chelsea or Liverpool.

Frank Rijkaard's out-of-form Barcelona dominated the game but could not turn their territorial advantage into goals.

Portuguese international Deco twice went close in the first half, while former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry wasted a glorious late chance when he headed straight at United keeper Edwin Van der Sar from close range.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid a glowing tribute to Scholes.

"He's one of the great players to come through the ranks here," he said. "But I'm so pleased for everyone. It's a great feeling, marvellous. This club deserves to be in the final."

But despite the narrow defeat, Rijkaard, who has been linked with a summer move to Chelsea, said he would not resign as Barcelona coach.

"I have no intention of leaving," he said. "It would be different if the players were saying it is time for me to go but that is not the case."

Barcelona, who sit a lowly third in La Liga, will now end the season without a trophy for the second consecutive year.

Tonight's other semi-final sees Liverpool, last season's beaten finalists, travel to London to face Chelsea.

The tie is delicately poised after the last week's dramatic 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says Chelsea are slight favourites to advance to the final in Moscow on May 21.

"I'll be realistic and say the advantage lies with Chelsea. They're a very good team and have been very strong at home for a long time," said Gerrard.

"But we have shown over the last few years that we are a very good team away from home in Europe."

Rafael Benitez's Liverpool have amazingly failed to score in the last eight visits to Stamford Bridge.