Solskjaer goals clinch semi spot

Quite how heavily the injuries rest on the shoulders of those who remain standing is the challenge United now face.

This was a wonderful performance, and the fact that Beckham lasted only 16 minutes of an entertaining encounter bodes well for those who finished the game with a spring in their stride rather than a broken foot.

Veron went some way to answering his critics with his most impressive display in a United shirt, while Giggs, Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy look set to continue to score goals against whoever they meet in the closing stages of this competition.

In what was Ferguson's 100th European fixture, United performed with the authority that such experience brings. He took a more pragmatic approach to his team selection, resisting the temptation to select Solskjaer from the start and instead giving Quinton Fortune a rare opportunity to shine on the left side of midfield.

It was working well, even if it was not until the departure of Beckham and the arrival of Solskjaer that United increased the two-goal advantage they had established on that memorable evening in Spain eight days earlier.

The challenge that sent Beckham away on a stretcher was a nasty one. Aldo Duscher might argue that he won the ball - but he did so by going in with both feet. But if Deportivo thought they had regained the initiative by condemning Beckham to a hospital X-ray room, their relief was short-lived

Indeed, it proved the turning point in the match, Solskjaer scoring with his first touch.

United were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Giggs and, from Veron's perfect delivery, Solskjaer appeared at the near post and beat Molina with a breathtaking close-range volley. It was the Norwegian's 23rd goal of a remarkable season.

But in allowing Enrique Romero to burst into the box and cross from the left just before the break, United handed the Spaniards the lifeline they needed. Fabien Barthez had it covered, only to see Laurent Blanc guide the ball beyond his grasp and into the net.

Van Nistelrooy might have scored a second for United when he wasted a fine opportunity with a header, but Solskjaer eased any anxiety with another wonderful goal in the 56th minute. Again Veron provided the ammunition, this time with a brilliant pass, and Solskjaer struck with a powerful left-foot shot.

The dismissal of Lionel Scaloni three minutes after that, for a second yellow card for dissent, ended any hope of a Deportivo revival. And when Giggs struck a third for United in the 69th minute with a terrific goal, a date with the conquerors of Liverpool was theirs.

Even after Duscher was dismissed in the 75th minute for a second yellow card - the result of a bad tackle on Nicky Butt - Deportivo, to their credit, maintained their momentum and a deflected free-kick from Djalminha in injury time created a scoreline that flattered Javier Irureta's team.