Manchester United Football Club

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68174

Rooney hailed by Fergie

25 Apr 2007 - 08:34:08

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Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for Wayne Rooney after the striker's double earned Manchester United a 3-2 home win over AC Milan in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Rooney's second of the evening came in stoppage time and gave the Red Devils a valuable lead to take into the San Siro return next week.

Ferguson said: "Wayne was a threat all night. We played him up front on his own because we wanted to stretch their defence.

"It meant he wasn't going to get the greatest involvement in the match, but he still made some fantastic runs between the two central defenders and the winning goal was an incredible hit.

"He didn't take a touch on it, just hit it first-time. It was a brilliant goal. On an occasion like tonight, we needed our big players to hit the heights.

"We have an outstanding chance now because, with the speed of our game, I believe we will score in Italy. Whether it will be enough, I don't know.

"It will not be easy, but it will not be easy for them either."