Milan beat United to set up re-run of '05 final

By James Eve

MILAN (Reuters) - AC Milan set up a repeat Champions League final showdown against Liverpool when they brushed aside Manchester United 3-0 on Wednesday to complete a 5-3 win on aggregate.

First-half goals by playmaker Kaka and midfielder Clarence Seedorf, and a second-half strike by substitute Alberto Gilardino rewarded a commanding display by the six-times European champions, who will dispute their third final in five years and the 11th in their history in Athens on May 23.

The game against Liverpool will also give them a chance to avenge the defeat they suffered against the English club in the 2005 final in Istanbul, when they squandered a 3-0 half-time lead before losing 3-2 on penalties.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti told Rai television: "None of the coaches could imagine a match like this. We played perfect football. It is like a dream. Manchester United are a very strong team but we played well in the first leg so it gave us strength to play well today."

The game and pre-match preparations in the city passed off peacefully despite fears of violence after Roma and United fans clashed in the last round.

UNITED OUTCLASSED

But United were outclassed from the moment they stepped out at the San Siro.

The lashing rain, lightening and thunder resembled a wet winter's night in Manchester rather than Milan in spring, but it was the Italian side that looked more comfortable on the greasy pitch.