Rooney ready for United return

Rooney: Ready for action

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Manchester United have been boosted by the news that Wayne Rooney is fit for the start of the Premier League season.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has declared the striker ready for Sunday's Old Trafford curtain-raiser with Newcastle, live on Sky Sports 1.

The England international missed the last two weeks of United's pre-season preparations for the defence of their top-flight crown after picking up a virus on the club's tour of Africa.

However, Ferguson now looks set to name Rooney, who has returned to training with the Red Devils since last week's Community Shield victory over Portsmouth, in his squad for the visit of Newcastle.

"Wayne is fit to play on Sunday," said Ferguson.

Medical

"He has trained all week. We took him down to the Community Shield last Sunday and he did some work for us then.

"From then on he has been progressing really well."

However, Ferguson remains tight-lipped over reports that United are on the verge of completing a £25million move for Dimitar Berbatov.

Rumour is rife that the Tottenham star travelled to United's training ground on Friday to undergo a medical.

But, when asked about Berbatov, Ferguson has declined to comment, saying: "I have nothing to say, absolutely nothing at all."