Wayne Rooney given all-clear for Champions League return leg

By Lewis Bazley.

Manchester United have confirmed the crucial fitness of star frontman Wayne Rooney ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie against AC Milan.

The striker had been ruled out of United's Premier League victory over Wolves last weekend having aggravated a knee injury in England's 3-1 friendly win against Egypt.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson had expressed his unhappiness at the amount of game time given to Rooney in the England game after the forward had played recently on the poor quality Wembley Stadium pitch in the Carling Cup final.

But with United looking to progress to the Champions League quarter-final, Ferguson has been handed a note of encouragement by his star player's level of fitness.

"He is fit, I am glad to say that he is fit," Ferguson told Sky Sports News.

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

The Old Trafford side will, however, be without Anderson, Wes Brown, Michael Owen, Ryan Giggs and John O'Shea for the second-leg clash.