Manchester United FC are one game away from becoming the first team to retain the UEFA Champions League after Cristiano Ronaldo led a devastating display at Arsenal FC that swept Sir Alex Ferguson's side into the final in Rome.

Early advantage
Leading 1-0 after last week's first leg, early goals from Ji-Sung Park (8) and Ronaldo (11) left Arsenal reeling and all but booked United's place at the Stadio Olimpico on 27 May. The visitors' effervescence was summed up by their third goal a minute past the hour as Ronaldo, Park and Rooney were all involved in a lightning counterattack that ended with the Portuguese finding the roof of the net. United's night ended on a sour note, however, as Darren Fletcher collected a late red card for a foul on Cesc Fàbregas, Robin van Persie converting the resulting penalty to give Arsenal the scantest of consolations. What made the difference for United over the two legs – and how keenly will Fletcher's absence be felt in the final?

Making history
AC Milan were the last side to win two successive European Champion Clubs' Cup finals, in 1989 and 1990, but no team has managed the feat since the UEFA Champions League era began in 1992. Indeed, Juventus were the last defending champions to reach the final the following year, but lost the 1997 showpiece to BV Borussia Dortmund, while Valencia CF were runners-up in 2000 and 2001. How good are this United team – and can they go on to make history? What have been the secrets of their success? And how does Sir Alex Ferguson go on producing sides that are in contention for the top prizes year after year?