Louis lights up United’s season

Man Utd 2 Blackburn 1 (3-2 on aggr.)

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha ensured the Red Devils confirmed their sixth appearance in the final of a tournament they have won only once.

But that hardly told the story as Van Nistelrooy also failed from the spot after Steven Reid had levelled - and then players from both sides sprinted down the tunnel to join in a bust-up which Robbie Savage appeared to spark by racing after Rio Ferdinand.

Afterwards, United boss Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Blackburn and was particularly impressed by Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who saved a penalty from Van Nistelrooy.

“It was a very competitive game. They make you work very hard and at the end of the day it’s fantastic

“We had chances but their goalkeeper was absolutely magnificent. On the last four occasions we have played them he must have made 40 saves against us. Tonight he made three incredible saves.”

Ferguson was also pleased with the way his team responded after the early loss of Ryan Giggs through injury.

The Scot added: “Ryan felt his hamstring go and it was obvious he was no use. It was a bit of a blow because we were looking to Ryan to be the leader of the team tonight.

“We needed that experience but we got on with it. It was a very good game, a real cup tie but I felt we deserved to go through.”

Rovers boss Mark Hughes was disappointed with two decisions by Graham Poll which went against his side.

Zurab Khizanishvili was penalised for handball - although Friedel saved the resulting spot-kick - before Poll turned down Rovers appeals in the 55th minute when a stubbed effort from Shefki Kuqi struck the ground and hit Rio Ferdinand on the arm.

Hughes said: “How the first one was given I’ve no idea - and our one was more blatant but was not given.

“We were all getting frustrated with the ref unfortunately.

“There are only so many refs and they possibly enjoy the celebrity status they have. I think tonight Mr Poll thought 61,000 spectators had come to see him.”

Hughes was impressed with his team, however, adding: “It was a great effort from our guys.

“I’m not sure Louis Saha meant what he did for their second goal and at the end United went to five at the back. I’ve not seen that many times at Old Trafford and it shows the effort we put in. But I’m desperately disappointed for the players because it’s been a great effort.”

It was hardly a surprise Rooney, who was superb again, should be so heavily involved in United’s opener when he raced 30 yards and tried to flick a pass into Van Nistelrooy’s path.

Michael Gray appeared to have the situation covered. But his miserable attempt to control resulted only in him prodding the ball back to Van Nistelrooy, who promptly drove home his 19th goal of the campaign.

Rovers equalised thanks to an atrocious blunder from Kieran Richardson. Having stepped in to intercept Gray’s low cross, Richardson attempted a ridiculous overhead-kick clearance which he badly mis-hit into Fletcher’s chest. The rebound fell to Reid, who rammed home.

There was an unseemly sight of players racing into the tunnel at half-time at top speed to witness what appeared to be a major bust-up between Savage and Ferdinand.

There was more than a hint of controversy about Saha’s winner too as Fletcher flattened Tugay in the build-up, much to Hughes’ obvious anger.

But Poll allowed the Scot to run on - and after he had once again fed Rooney, the former Everton man chipped a cross to Saha whose curling effort was too much even for Friedel.

MAN UNITED: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown,Evra (Silvestre 80), Rooney, Fletcher, Giggs (Smith 13),Richardson, Saha, van Nistelrooy (Vidic 86).

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Neill, Nelsen, Khizanishvili, Gray, Reid,Savage, Tugay (Peter 86), Pedersen, Kuqi (Emerton 76), Bentley.

Referee: G Poll.