Wayne Rooney put United in front in the seventh minute, with Hameur Bouazza scoring a surprise 26th-minute equaliser for the visitors before Cristiano Ronaldo restored the Red Devils' lead just two minutes later.

Rooney's second goal in the 66th minute, and a fourth from substitute Kieran Richardson eight minutes from full-time, sealed United's presence in the first final at the new Wembley Stadium.

And their dream of a repeat of 1999 - when Sir Alex Ferguson's men won the Premiership, the FA Cup and the Champions League - is still alive.

Ferguson claimed the victory was as impressive as the midweek hammering of Roma in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.

"It was a fantastic performance; it was as good as Tuesday in terms of the endurance of the team, the courage, accepting the disappointment with Ferdinand being injured when we had to change the team," the manager told Sky Sports News.

"It was absolutely magnificent, I was so proud."

On Ferdinand, who had to be replaced by Darren Fletcher in the first half, Ferguson said: "Hopefully it's not too serious. He'll have a scan tomorrow. It's a groin injury. Hopefully he won't be out for too long.

"We'll know tomorrow evening. He'll have a scan in the morning and we'll get the results in the afternoon."

The attacking trio of Ronaldo, Rooney and Alan Smith were particularly impressive.

Ferguson said of Ronaldo: "It was his 21st goal today and he could go on to score 25, the form he is in.

"Wayne Rooney had his best game of the season today, he was absolutely fantastic. And Alan Smith has brought a breath of fresh life to the team. He is doing fantastically for us."