Former United goalkeeper Tim Howard returned to haunt his old club as Everton reached the FA Cup final with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory.
After a goalless two hours, Howard saved a woeful penalty from United record signing Dimitar Berbatov and another from Rio Ferdinand to send the Toffeemen into ecstasy.
It also ended Sir Alex Ferguson's 100% record in last-four clashes in the competition, although the Scot must have known such a scenario was a realistic possibility given the team he picked in front of a sell-out Wembley crowd.
It had become common knowledge that Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Edwin van der Sar had not even made the trip, while the veteran Ryan Giggs was down on most people's lists of the men to be excluded as well.
But the likes of Federico Macheda, Fabio da Silva, Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck were among a youthful XI.
Ultimately it came down to spot-kicks and after Tim Cahill missed the first for Everton, Howard save United's next two with Phil Jagielka netting the clincher for the Toffees.
Toffees boss David Moyes said: "The goalkeeper made a couple of really good saves. We had a struggle to find five to take them. Jagielka was one of the ones who scored in training. We didn't have too many takers on the day."
The Red Devils had a good shout for a penalty during the 90 minutes when Danny Welbeck went down under close attention from Jagielka and Moyes feared the worst.
"From where I was I thought it was," Moyes continued.
"I've not seen it but I thought that may be close."
Everton captain Phil Neville, who like Howard was up against his former side, told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's one of the proudest moments of my career - to lead the team out at Wembley in the FA Cup final.
"They say your next achievement is the best and that is certainly how it feels.
"We've beaten the best side in the world - it's just a really proud moment."
