A last-minute goal by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Champions League winners Real Madrid in the Centenary Tournament at the Olympic Stadium in Munich last night.
The Norwegian striker latched onto a knockdown by Teddy Sheringham to slot a low drive past Real goalkeeper Cisar just when the tie seemed like petering out into a draw and towards penalties.
The majority of the match had been played at a typically slow place for a preseason encounter, with Real choosing to leave many of their international stars on the bench.
There was no place in the starting 11 for Portugal midfielder Luis Figo, who became the world's most expensive player when he moved from Barcelona to Real for £37 million last month, or Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos.
Also noticeable by his absence was Steve McManaman, the Englishman content to watch the match from the bench. For their part the Premiership champions fielded a relatively strong side, with Ronny Johnsen making a welcome return to a back-four which did not include first-choice centre half Jaap Stam.
However, with Roy Keane, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs across midfield and the 1999 European Cup-winning duo up front, United had a much more potent-looking attack.
The only notable chances of the first half were wasted by Scholes and Cameroon international Geremi as the match rarely lived up to its potential. But, after the break, the English champions seemed to find an extra yard, with Giggs looking particularly handy down the left flank.
Solskjaer forced a good stop from Cisar which Keane fired over the bar and the Real goalkeeper was called into action again a few minutes later as he tipped Beckham's chip over the bar.
Giggs could count himself unlucky not to have broken the deadlock on 73 minutes when his jinking run into the box brought another good block from Cisar.
United also wasted two more good chances from the dead ball as Giggs' and Beckham's pre-rehearsed free-kick obviously needed more practice when the pair tried it 15 minutes from the end.
And Scholes too should have done better when presented with the ball some 12 yards out following a back-pass infringement, but the England man's effort was charged down by the goalkeeper.
But Manchester United finally got the breakthrough they just about deserved when Raimond van der Gouw, handed the keeper's jersey ahead of £7.8 million French international Fabien Barthez, sent a long punt down the park which Sheringham nodded on.
Solskjaer took the ball superbly on his chest before stabbing the ball under the advancing goalkeeper.
United will now meet hosts Bayern Munich in today's showpiece final after the Germans beat Galatasaray 3-1 with goals from Roque Santa Cruz, Samuel Kuffour and Alexander Zickler.
Gheorghe Hagi netted a consolation for the Turks.
Trevor Molloy sent home the winning penalty for his new club Bohemians in last night's Presidents Cup final at Dalymount Park.
Bohemians created the majority of the chances with new signing Darren O'Keefe producing a point-blank save from Chris Bennion on the half hour.
Shelbourne were reduced to 10 men when Barry Burke was sent off for a second bookable offence after flooring Dave Morrison with nine minutes remaining.
