Manchester United produced a scintillating display, sweeping Arsenal off the pitch, reassuring them a place in the final and becoming the first team since Milan in 1990 to successively defend their European Crown with a back to back final appearances in the tournament. Should it be a repeat of Moscow 2008 – a final with Chelsea or perhaps a final with Barcelona will be determined on Wednesday, May 6. 
 
PFA player of the year Ryan Giggs did not make a full match - he substituted Anderson in the 62nd minute and made a vital contribution until the end of the game. Giggs remains determined that the Red Devils are capable of defending their crown, something which hasn’t being achieved in two decades. 

 "We said last year we wanted to defend it (the Champions League), give it a big shot and that's what we've done," Giggs was quoted as saying by the ckub’s website. "We've come out tonight and produced an unbelievable performance.
 
"We knew we'd get chances because this team creates them, it's just about putting them away. We did and that put the pressure right back on Arsenal, knowing that they'd got to score three goals. That leaves gaps at the back for us to score more, and that's what happened."
 
Meanwhile Arsenal's hopes of overwhelming a single goal deficit in the first leg, and securing a final and winning their first ever Champions League trophy all came crashing down after an abysmal performance at their own manor that saw United trample all over them. Ten minutes inside the first half, and the visitors were two nil up with goals from Ji-Sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo, the home supporters silent, and the travelling Stretford End going berserk.
 
In a post match BBC interview, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed that the Champions League semi-final defeat by Manchester United was the worst night of his career, and rightfully so.
 
Arsenal lost at home 3-1, 4-1 on aggregate, meaning success in Europe’s elite tournament is again eluding the French manager and his team.
 
"It is the most disappointing night of my career," said the Frenchman, quoted by the BBC.
 
"I felt the fans were really up for a big night and to disappoint people who stand behind the team so much hurts."
 
United calmed the nerves with an early Ji-Sung Park goal which added to their lead from the first leg at Old Trafford last week. Then Ronaldo scored with a 40-yard screaming free kick which broke Arsenal’s spirit. 
 
The visitors maintained their superior performance in the second half with Ronaldo earning his brace in the 62^nd minute, effectively finishing off the Gunners. The Portuguese striker delivered a ball to Park just 25 yards from his own box. He then played in Rooney, and when he served up a perfect pass, there was Ronaldo to finish off the brilliant strike and send his team to Rome.
 
The downturn of the evening for Alex Ferguson and the away supporters was Darren Fletcher earning a straight red card from referee Roberto Rosetti 14 minutes from time when Fabregas tumbled as the pair collided in the penalty area.
 
Van Persie materialised the penalty awarded by Rosetti, but TV replays showed Fletcher getting a clean touch on the ball before any contact with Fabregas. It had no dramatic bearing effect on the match, but his sending off will mean that he will miss the final against Chelsea or Barcelona.  
 
The Big Ears, Europe's elite trophy has arrived to the horizon for Ferguson and his men once more, second year running.
 
 
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Gibbs (Eboue 45), Walcott (Bendtner 63), Fabregas, Song Billong, Nasri, Van Persie (Vela 79), Adebayor.
 
 
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (Rafael Da Silva 65), Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (Giggs 63), Park, Ronaldo, Rooney (Berbatov 66).