Ferguson - Rooney is fit

Star striker available to tackle Milan

Last updated: 9th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ferguson - Rooney is fit

Rooney: Fit to face Milan

We will hope to kill the tie with our own attacking abilities.

Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is fit to face AC Milan in Wednesday night's UEFA Champions League showdown.

Rooney had been rated as a major doubt for the second leg of the last-16 clash at Old Trafford after a knee injury ruled him out of Saturday's 1-0 victory over Wolves.

The England international aggravated the problem he sustained after coming off the bench in the Carling Cup final while on duty for Fabio Capello's England in their 3-1 friendly success over Egypt.

Sir Alex Ferguson was unhappy to see his star striker play twice in quick succession on the much-criticised Wembley pitch and hinted before the weekend that his top scorer would not be available to tackle the Serie A side.

Rapid

But the 28-goal forward, who bagged a brace in the 3-2 success at the San Siro, will return to face Milan, who will have former United favourite David Beckham in their ranks as he makes his first Old Trafford appearance in seven years.

Rooney was back in training with his team-mates for the first time on Tuesday morning having surprised the medical staff with the speed of his recovery.

Ferguson told a press conference televised by Sky Sports News: "He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit.

"He has showed a rapid improvement since Saturday morning. He was extremely doubtful, but he is OK."

Kill the tie

Ferguson will send out his side with the intention of finishing off Milan as he believes the Red Devils are not at their best when on the back foot.

He added: "It is certainly an open tie and I think what we are going to see tomorrow will be a very open game.

"We will hope to kill the tie with our own attacking abilities. There is no doubt that AC Milan have to score, which should make it a really open match.

"I don't think we are very good at defending leads, so we will play our normal way. That means attacking, it always has. We will try and do it our normal way.

"I don't think we should be confused by the score of 3-2 as passage into the next phase of this competition.

"We accept this is a very difficult game for us and one which we need to win. And that's how I'm approaching it, to win the match."

Comments (7)

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Robert Boydell (Manchester United fan) says...

Let's face it he was never injured just being rested. Ok so maybe his knees were hurting after running around twice in a week on that big ol pitch of Wembley but he was never really a doubt.

Posted 15:26 9th March 2010

Oliver Bryant (Chelsea fan) says...

Massive Boost for Man Utd with the return of Rooney, he has been in amazing form all season and when he plays Utd normally win! I still have a sneaky feeling if he doesn't start Milan could spring a suprise here! watch this space Milan to go through!

Posted 15:15 9th March 2010

Jack Branning (Manchester United fan) says...

Rooney is the best player in the world! Now he's ready to rip Milan into shreads again, and reach the the quater finals with Manchester United!

Posted 15:04 9th March 2010

Ben Thomson (Arsenal fan) says...

More mind games from fergie, rooney was always going to play this match. he was just rested against wolves. and blaming the wembley pitch for the injury is hilarious, I love how all the other players were ok with it, whats more hilarious is everyone believeing it!

Posted 15:01 9th March 2010

Anthony Nicholson (Manchester United fan) says...

great news an on form wayne rooney in the team should give us the boost we need to progress to the next stage come on united

Posted 14:59 9th March 2010

Andy Singh (Manchester United fan) says...

I hope Fergie does not do a Rafa and rely on one player in the closing months of the season.

Posted 14:57 9th March 2010

Craig Sharpe (Manchester United fan) says...

Great news!!! i now have ridden any doubts of us losing this tie with no strike power, world player of the year in the waiting is back for the boys in red, another brace rooney and make it a thumping to remember! Come on United!!!!

Posted 14:44 9th March 2010
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