The reluctant hero

While a host of jubilant United players stopped to address the world's media after Tuesday night's Champions League victory over Barcelona, there was no sign of match winner Paul Scholes.

Having scored the tie-settling goal against the Catalan giants, the softly-spoken midfielder typically shunned the limelight and disappeared to be with his family after the final whistle.

His team-mates, however, were more than happy to heap praise on Scholes, who now seems guaranteed to start a Champions League final after missing the 1999 final through suspension.

"You could see his reaction, it was a big relief for him," Mikael Silvestre told MUTV. "He wasn’t involved in ’99, but now he is taking the team with him to Moscow. It’s good for him, he fully deserves it. He is a great professional. He is a local lad so it means a lot to him."

Scholes swung the tie in United's favour with a scorching 25-yard drive which faded into the top corner of Victor Valdes' goal, and his colleagues were far from surprised by the moment of brilliance.

"I was talking to Patrice Evra about Scholesy in training before the game," said Ji-sung Park. "He was unbelievable. We said that he would do something big in the game and he did."

"It was a great goal, unbelievable," added Wes Brown. "I’m just glad it was Scholesy, he deserves it. He’s got us into the final."