It was not the most thrilling performance that Manchester United have produced in the 52 years since Matt Busby first led them into European competition, but for Sir Alex Ferguson it was among the most satisfying. While Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach, rued his team’s misfortune over the two legs, Ferguson simply declared that United deserved to reach the final for the discipline they showed in both matches.

“We needed a fantastic performance and I think we got one,” the United manager said last night. “It’s not easy against Barcelona because they play such fantastic football, but I felt we played football, we created chances and I thought defensively we were fantastic over the two legs. Our concentration at the back needed to be spot on and it was.

“It was a marvellous night. This club deserves to be in the final, for the history and the support. It was the fans who got us over the line.”

There were delirious scenes all around Old Trafford after the final whistle - with the celebrations even extending to the directors’ box, where Joel, Avram and Bryan Glazer, three of the brothers whose family own the club, were in attendance - but Michael Carrick, the midfield player, said that delight was not the immediate emotion.

“It is as much relief as anything,” he said. “We put so much pressure on ourselves to achieve big things. We were so desperate to get to the final and win it. We knew it was going to be tough, but we’ve made it.”

Rijkaard faces an uncertain future, with Barcelona off the pace in La Liga and out of the Champions League. He was asked afterwards whether he plans to resign, but he said: “No, that thought has not entered my head. I have no intention of leaving. At times like this we all need to stick together and be strong.”