Manchester United 1 Chelsea 0
Diego Forlan sent Manchester United into the Worthington Cup semi-finals with a late winner against Chelsea at Old Trafford tonight.
The £7million striker clinically finished off David Beckham's slide-rule pass 10 minutes from time to seal high-tempo encounter which appeared destined for extra time.
It was cruel luck on the visitors, who pushed forward at every opportunity but with Mikael Silvestre and Wes Brown outstanding, United's defence rarely looked like being breached.
Chelsea were certainly looking more threatening and Zola was only denied a clear run on goal by Brown's superbly-timed sliding tackle inside the United box.
Forlan, an increasingly isolated figure up front, did manage to force a corner which the home side could make little of.
Silvestre had the measure of Hasselbaink, which no doubt played his part in Ranieri's decision to remove the Dutchman 13 minutes from time, giving Ferguson a close-up of Eidur Gudjohnsen, a striker the United manager is believed to covet.
But the breakthrough, when it finally came shortly afterwards, came from a man many thought Ferguson had blundered by bringing him to Old Trafford in the first place.
Beckham provided the pass and the Chelsea defence seemed to melt away as Forlan strode forward and tucked his shot under Cudicini, his fourth goal in three starts.
Chelsea nearly replied almost immediately as Zenden's shot headed for the corner until Barthez touched it round the post. Le Saux's corner was cleared by O'Shea.
Silvestre made another timely clearance and Barthez leapt to clutch a le Saux corner before Forlan wasted a fine chance to double his team's lead from Beckham's cut-back.
Chelsea launched one last assault but Silvestre and Brown remained solid, le Saux blasted over and United were through.