Star striker Wayne passed fit in time for vital Champions League clash against Rossoneri

Wayne Rooney handed Sir Alex Ferguson the news he wanted to hear after declaring himself unscathed after training to put himself back in contention for a start against AC Milan tonight.

The England forward had been a major doubt for the crucial Champions League meeting with AC Milan at Old Trafford after aggravating a knee injury on international duty last week.

But he lived up to his reputation as a prodigiously quick healer and is ready to be unleashed against the Italian giants, much to the relief of his manager.

“Rooney’s fit, I’m glad to say,” said Ferguson, who had predicted at the weekend that he would be obliged to start with Dimitar Berbatov as a lone striker. “On Friday I didn’t think he had a chance.”

Rooney’s importance to United in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure was underlined by his performance in the first leg in the San Siro, his two headed goals helping United claim a 3-2 advantage that leaves the second-round tie tilted in their favour but still very much in the balance.

“The form Wayne is in at the moment, no matter what game he plays in, he’d be a threat to anyone,” Ferguson said.

The Scot admitted that Clarence Seedorf’s late goal for Milan last month had left the Italians in a much more favourable position than they would have been had United held out for a 3-1 win.

“It is certainly an open tie, no question,” he added. “It is going to be a great game of football and a very open game, I think.
“We hope to win the tie by our own attacking ambitions and Milan have to score so that should make it a real open match.
“The first 15 minutes over there were the best for them and we could have been two or three down.

But once we recovered we played very well and maybe should have killed the game. But goals change games and Seedorf’s goal keeps it in the balance.”

Rooney’s rapid recovery will have been particularly welcome for Ferguson given the restrictions on his options in other areas.

Ryan Giggs is still sidelined after breaking his arm, Michael Carrick is suspended and England defender Wes Brown has joined an injury list already featuring Brazilian midfielder Anderson, back-up centreback Jonny Evans and Irish utility man John O’Shea.

Milan coach Leonardo also has injury issues, with Alexandre Pato facing disappointment if he doesn’t recover from the hamstring injury that kept the Brazilian prodigy out of Saturday’s goalless draw at Roma in Serie A.

But even before a ball has been kicked, one other Milan player is already dealing with disappointment.

David Beckham, returning to Old Trafford for the first time as a player since his acrimonious departure in 2003, admitted his return would probably be an emotional experience.  

“Coming to terms with not being a United player was certainly the toughest thing I’ve ever had to deal with,” Beckham said.

“When you are a Manchester United fan and a Manchester United player, you never want to play for anyone else. “United were the club I always wanted to play for and I loved every minute of my time there.

“Obviously there will be big emotions tonight but I don’t think it will be a problem. I’ve played in a lot of big games.”