Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick admits it was a mixture of ecstasy and relief at the final whistle of last night's dramatic Champions League semifinal victory over Barcelona.

"It's a happy place I can tell you that!" exclaimed Carrick to manutd.com. "It's as much relief as anything. We put so much pressure on ourselves to achieve big things.

"We were so desperate to get to the final and win it. We knew it was going to be tough but we've made it."

Carrick's midfield partner Paul Scholes struck the stunning goal that settled the tie. Ever modest of his talents, Scholes shunned the opportunity to do any television interviews immediately after the game, but Carrick was full of praise for his team-mate.

"It was an awesome strike," he said. "I've seen him do it many times in training. I've watched him do it a few times here as well. I think that has to be up there with one of his best, especially in a game of this magnitude. To cap off a night like this with a goal of that quality was brilliant."