O'Shea : Fans played a part

"Our fans erupted when we scored. Credit to them: to come down mid-week, away from home... it was a special game for them and they really played their part.”

John O'Shea

John O’Shea hailed United’s travelling support after an “amazing” victory at the Emirates sent the Reds into the Champions League final.

United won 3-1 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate to secure a spot in Rome on Wednesday 27 May.

“We didn’t hear our fans for the first five minutes because Arsenal’s supporters were really up for it,” O’Shea told MUTV. “Even when they got a throw-in the noise was like they’d scored a goal.

“But then our fans erupted when we scored. Credit to them: to come down mid-week, away from home... it was a special game for them and they really played their part.”

Early goals from Ji-sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo meant the contest was effectively over after 11 minutes, although the Reds still had to defend valiantly.

“We knew Arsenal at home would get plenty of the ball and attack. But we had to be strong and confident in the players we have. We knew we’d have to catch them on the counter-attack and those tactics worked a treat.

“The game was done and dusted when we got the second, and particularly the third. But Arsenal kept going and put us under a lot of pressure. It was a dream to be involved in this game.

“Everyone was ecstatic [in the dressing room] although it wasn’t quite the same as last year’s tense semi against Barcelona. This one was won early so we were all fairly relaxed and recovering in preparation for another huge game on Sunday [against Manchester City].”