Ruud scores the opener

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha scored to overcome a standout effort by American goalkeeper Brad Friedel, enabling Manchester United to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Wednesday night and reach the English League Cup final against upstart Wigan Athletic.

Van Nistelrooy and Saha's goals in the second-leg semifinal advanced the Reds on 3-2 aggregate despite the efforts of Friedel, who saved a penalty kick and repeatedly thwarted Man United with dramatic saves. The final is Feb. 26 at Cardiff, Wales.

Van Nistelrooy gave United an eighth-minute lead when Rovers lost possession in their own half and Wayne Rooney fed him.

Blackburn tied it in the 32nd minute when Kieran Richardson's attempted clearance struck teammate Wes Brown and the ball dropped to an unmarked Steven Reid, who shot under the body of goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Friedel dived to his right with five minutes left in the half to stop Van Nistelrooy's penalty kick, and made another stunning save to frustrate Van Nistelrooy early in the second half, diving to his left to tip a shot around a post.

But after Saha scored two minutes later on an 18-yard shot after Kerimoglu Tugay lost the ball in his own half and Rooney made a sideways pass.

Friedel blocked another Van Nistelrooy shot which was followed by a low drive from Rooney as United created more chances.

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