Forget Ronaldo- The Ginger magician inspires Reds to Moscow

It was all set up for him. The Footballer of the Year in England, all set to play the hero’s role. He was to single handledly dismantle the might of Barcelona and guide Manchester United back to the promised land.

But, not for the first time in the world’s elite club competition, Cristiano Ronaldo was cast as a background figure in the play. And it was one of United’s own who outshone his team-mates and claim the starring role in an enthralling picture.

That man was Paul Scholes, an Old Trafford legend with an incredible 565 appearances and 138 goals to his name since making his debut in a low-key Coca Cola Cup tie at Port Vale in 1994. Well, make that 566 appearances and 139 goals after tonight’s encounter.

The Champions League semi final was never going to be a game full of goals, but there was a lot to admire about how both teams went about their business. Barca were of course technically gifted and dominated possession but despite possessing the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Andreas Iniesta and the wonderfully talented Lionel Messi, they failed to create any clear cut chances.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team on the other hand, were the opposite. Attacks were in short supply, as was the flowing football seen so often in their pursuit of the Premier League title. But there was a fantastic dogedness about their play, epitomised by those who almost bleed Manchester United red- Scholes, Wes Brown in the centre of defence and Rio Ferdinand.

Their defence of Brown, Ferdinand, Hargreaves and Evra was impressive and repelled Barcelona’s attacks with relative ease, while Michael Carrick worked tirelessly with Scholes to combat Xavi and Yaya Toure in midfield, while Carlos Tevez up front led from the front by snarling into tackles.

In a match where the Reds missed inspirational centre back Nemanja Vidic and Wayne Rooney, they needed inspiration from somewhere to help them through to the final. And they got it from Scholes.

After 14 minutes and around 20-25 yards from goal, he let fly and his fantastic shot flew into the top corner to give United the lead.

It proved enough and United reached the promised land for the first time since 1999 and their famous last gasp comeback win over Bayern Munich, ironically at Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium.

Scholes suffered the heartache of being suspended alongside Roy Keane for that game, and so missed his club’s most famous night since they lifted their first European Cup against Benfica in 1968. So how fitting he was the one who sent United on to meet either Chelsea or Liverpool in an all English final on May 21.

His manager declared after the game that his midfield magician would be “the first name on the teamsheet” for the final. And after his role which left his more illustrious team-mate in the shade, its no surprise.

Scholes could provide the magic to see Manchester United to not only their 3rd European Cup, but to relieve his own ghosts of 9 years ago. Forget Ronaldo- the real magician was United’s quiet, unassuming, ginger headed midfield maestro.