Yokohama, Japan - Wayne Rooney came off the bench to score twice as Manchester United beat Gamba Osaka 5-3 Thursday in a highly entertaining semi-final of the World Club Championship in Yokohama.

Headed efforts from Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo gave United a comfortable two-goal cushion at the break before Masato Yamazaki pulled one back for Osaka.

However, the two strikes from Rooney, with an effort from Darren Fletcher sandwiched in-between, countered by a late penalty from Yashuhito Endo and a strike in added time from Hideo Hashimoto, ensured a comfortable win for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

The European and English champions now face Liga de Quito in Sunday's final after the Ecuadorian side beat Mexico's Pacucha 2-0 in the other semi-final on Wednesday.

Vidic put United in front shortly before the half-hour mark at the Yokohama International Stadium, venue for the 2002 World Cup final, heading home a Ryan Giggs corner from six metres.

Giggs was also the provider for United's second goal on 45 minutes, with Ronaldo this time heading the Welshman's corner past Osaka goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya.

United's play in the early stages of second half became more disjointed due to a flurry of substitutions with Vidic replaced by Jonny Evans and Darren Fletcher coming on for Paul Scholes.

Wayne Rooney also entered the fray for Carlos Tevez with 16 minutes remaining, just in time to see Osaka's Masato Yamazaki beat Edwin Van der Sar from 20 metres at the end of a sweeping move.

But within a minute Rooney made it 3-1, latching on to a through- ball from Fletcher before firing home.

Fletcher made it four for United with 12 minutes remaining, heading in a Patrice Ever cross, with Rooney netting his second of the game a minute later with Giggs once again the provider.

Endo reduced the deficit to 5-2 from the penalty spot after Gary Neville handled Ryuji Bando's cross in the box while Hashimoto completed the scoring in the dying seconds with a well-struck shot. (dpa)