Manchester United FC

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• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

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Rooney fit for United opener

15 Aug 2008 - 14:23:57

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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been passed fit to face Newcastle United
in the champions' opening fixture of the new Premier League season.

The 22-year-old England striker missed the last two weeks of United's pre-season programme with a mystery virus picked up on the club's tour of Africa.

But despite sitting out last weekend's Community Sheild victory over Portsmouth at Wembley, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed the striker is available for the curtain raiser against the Magpies.

"Wayne is fit to play on Sunday," said Ferguson. "He has trained all week.

"We took him down to the Community Shield last Sunday and he did some work for us then. From them on he has been progressing really well."

Meanwhile, Ferguson refused to answer questions on his club's reported interest in Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov.

The Red Devils are believed to be ready to pay up to £22million for the Bulgaria international striker, but at his pre-match press conference Ferguson was keeping his cards close to his chest.

"I have nothing to say, absolutely nothing at all," he added.

Speaking earlier in the week, the veteran Scot suggested that he was close to completing the signing of a new striker.

He said: "It's possible I'll sign someone this week. We're trying and we're looking at one or two options. Hopefully we'll get something done."