Ferguson hails "fantastic" Rooney after Milan double

AC MILAN 2-3 MAN UTD
Sir Alex Ferguson hailed a "fantastic" performance from two-goal Wayne Rooney after Manchester United overcame an early setback to beat AC Milan 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
Ronaldinho put the hosts ahead in the opening moments but Paul Scholes grabbed a fortuitous equaliser and two goals from Rooney put United in charge. Clarence Seedorf's late goal pegged Sir Alex Ferguson's side back before Michael Carrick was shown a late red card.

Ferguson admitted United's last trip to San Siro, when they were thrashed 3-0 in the semi-finals in 2007, may have played on their minds following Ronaldinho's early goal.

He told Sky Sports: "There was a catalogue of errors. The start to the game helped them and we started to get nervous - the last time we came here we conceded two early goals. But once we were settled I thought we did okay.''

United were transformed in the second half, and Ferguson knew Rooney would be the key. "The most important thing was better use of the ball and to use Rooney more. I felt he had the beating of them and he was fantastic tonight,'' continued the United boss.

"I thought we were coasting at 3-1 then it was a carnival end to the game. It's made it a game when it shouldn't have been a game. We've got to do a job at Old Trafford now. Let's go out and win it.''

Wayne Rooney hailed Manchester United's quality after they came from behind to beat AC Milan. Rooney said: "It was a disappointing start but after that we did well to get back into it. The second half we stepped it up and we fully deserved to win, we were always the better side. When we went 3-1 up I thought it was only us that looked like scoring. The goal keeps Milan in the tie but 3-2 in the San Siro is a great result.''

Rooney cut a frustrated figure through much of the first half as Milan largely dominated and he hinted it was displeasure with the referee's performance that was riling him.

"Some people were not doing their job right,'' he continued. "But I got the booking and I learned from it.''

The match was David Beckham's first against his former employers, and Rooney had some generous words for his England team-mate. "You can see the quality he's got,'' added the striker. "The experience, set-pieces, he's a great player.''

Beckham insisted he had enjoyed facing the club with which he began his career, despite the result. "It was all right,'' he said. "I enjoyed it. The fans were great to me. It's great to play in front of a full stadium.''

The former England captain admitted Milan's missed chances in the first half had cost them. "We had three really good chances but you have to put those chances away,'' he continued. "The second half the game opened up and they put them away.But it's not over. We'll go to Manchester and it's going to be a tough game, we know that.''

Rooney Double Rocks San Siro

Two second-half goals from in-form Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney installed last season's beaten finalists as favourites to book a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Not even the concession of a third-minute opener for AC Milan, created by David Beckham for Ronaldinho, could derail Sir Alex Ferguson's troops, although they were forced to endure some nervy moments at the end after Clarence Seedorf hauled Milan back into the tie five minutes from time with an audacious flicked finish.

It took a fortunate Paul Scholes effort to bring United level before the break. But after surviving another spell of Milan pressure after half-time, Rooney stamped his class on the contest, scoring his first two European goals of the season to take his overall tally to 25.

In United circles, the summer of 2003 has become famous for Beckham's exit from Old Trafford. Yet about a month after his move toReal Madrid was confirmed, there was an equally significant event involving Ronaldinho.

Ferguson was sure he had signed the Brazilian from Paris St Germain, convinced in his own mind every eventuality had been covered. It was with some annoyance - mostly directed at former chief executive Peter Kenyon - Ferguson learned Ronaldinho had in fact signed for Barcelona.

It took the former world footballer of the year just three minutes to remind Ferguson what he missed, after Beckham had done what everyone knows he can, produce an excellent set piece delivery.

Patrice Evra's acrobatic attempt to clear that one set Ronaldinho up, although Edwin van der Sar had the shot covered before it deflected off Michael Carrick and ended up in the opposite corner.

Milan dominated proceedings in the first period, their passing causing United to twist and turn.

Ronaldinho, Luca Antonini and Klaas Jan Huntelaar twice came agonisingly close to finding Van der Sar's net again. If any had passed the Dutch goalkeeper, Ferguson could not have complained.

As it was, apart from Beckham, the only other United 'Class of 92' graduate on the pitch was about to make a decisive contribution. Scholes has peppered the intervening years with a number of howitzers, goals that will be admired decades from now.

This was not among them. Swinging at Darren Fletcher's low cross from the by-line, Scholes missed the ball completely with his right foot, the ball striking him half way up the shin of his standing left. What could only be described as a freakish deflection not only took it the six yards to Dida's goal, but right in the bottom corner, giving the Brazilian no chance of keeping it out.

Milan's response was admirable, given what a shattering blow that away goal was, Andrea Pirlo forcing a one-handed save out of Van der Sar with a 30-yard free-kick, before the 39-year-old Dutchman required every inch of his massive frame to flick a goalbound Ronaldinho effort round the post.

Yet in that one stroke of good fortune for Scholes, it seemed the destiny of the tie had been shaped and a minute after what turned out to be an inspired substitution, Rooney break his European duck.

Antonio Valencia, who had just replaced Nani, was the provider, sending over a cross from the right that allowed Rooney to steer a header back over Dida into the opposite corner.

Now the age in Milan's legs began to tell, and when Darren Fletcher chipped another cross into the box, Rooney stole between defenders to head home once more.

It seemed victory and progress was assured, so Ferguson will be livid at the Seedorf effort five minutes from time that ensured an uncomfortable ending and gives Milan a flicker of hope for the return in three weeks' time, when Michael Carrick will be unavailable following his dismissal deep into stoppage time.

Marcelo makes Madrid commitment

Brazilian international Marcelo has signed a new three-year contract extension at Real Madrid CF which will keep the defender at the Santiago Bernabéu until June 2015.
Real Madrid CF have received a boost ahead of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Olympique Lyonnais with the news that defender Marcelo has signed a three-year contract extension until June 2015.

The Brazilian international moved to the Spanish capital from Fluminese FC in 2007 and has since established himself as a first-team regular, scoring six goals in 76 Liga appearances for Los Merengues. The 21-year-old was also a part of Madrid's championship-winning teams in 2007 and 2008. Manuel Pellegrini's side, who have fallen at the first knockout round every season since 2003/04, travel to Lyon on 16 February before staging the return leg on 10 March.

Benzema struggling for Lyon return

Real Madrid CF striker Karim Benzema faces a race to recover from a groin problem in time to face former club Olympique Lyonnais in the first knockout round.
Karim Benzema has been ruled out for seven days and could therefore miss the first leg of Real Madrid CF's UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against Olympique Lyonnais.

The 22-year-old, who joined Los Merengues from Lyon in last summer, complained of discomfort in his left leg while training on Tuesday and is expected to be absent for a week with swelling to his groin. The nine-time European champions visit the Stade de Gerland on 16 February, with the return in the Spanish capital on 10 March. Benzema has scored seven league goals in 19 appearances for Madrid, having struck 43 times in 112 games for Les Gones.

Beckham, Mourinho ready for high-profile reunions

High-profile reunions will lead the headlines when the UEFA Champions League resumes as José Mourinho and David Beckham renew acquaintances with Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC.
Two high-profile reunions will dominate the headlines when the UEFA Champions League resumes after its winter break, as David Beckham and José Mourinho renew acquaintances with Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC respectively.

Beckham left Old Trafford for Real Madrid CF in 2003 and, now in his second loan spell at Milan from LA Galaxy, is relishing the opportunity to go back to Manchester – although, with the first leg at San Siro, he will have to wait a little longer. "Emotionally, it is going to be very difficult after seven years," Beckham said. "But I can't wait now. To be back in that stadium will be fantastic." The omens point to a happy return for the midfielder – the sides have met in four previous European Champion Clubs' Cup ties and Milan won them all, most recently the 2006/07 semi-finals.

Mourinho's FC Internazionale Milano side also have home advantage for their first leg against Chelsea – and, having lost in the first knockout round for the last three seasons, will be keen to make it count. Mourinho enjoyed a glittering three-year spell at Stamford Bridge, winning two Premier League titles before leaving in September 2007. The tie also represents a swift return to Milan for one of Mourinho's Chelsea successors Carlo Ancelotti, who had eight years in charge of Inter's city rivals and led them to three UEFA Champions League finals, including the victories of 2003 and 2007.

Real Madrid CF have not survived the first knockout round since 2003/04. To do so this season they must overcome Olympique Lyonnais for the first time, although Karim Benzema should provide plenty of inside knowledge having swapped the Stade de Gerland for the Santiago Bernabéu last summer. FC Porto and Arsenal FC are also familiar foes – their meeting will be their third in four seasons – while FC Bayern München were paired with ACF Fiorentina in the 2008/09 group stage and will be out to deny the in-form Italian team a sixth successive competition victory in the first leg in Bavaria.

FC Barcelona have already inflicted plenty of misery on Christian Gross with a 5-0 win at the VfB Stuttgart's coach's former club FC Basel 1893 last season – although Gross, who can call upon on-loan Barcelona midfielder Aleksandr Hleb, would prefer to remember Basel's 1-1 draw in the Camp Nou return. FC Girondins de Bordeaux will be favourites to overcome Olympiacos FC having dropped only two points in the group stage, while PFC CSKA Moskva take on a Sevilla FC side who saw off FC Lokomotiv Moskva and FC Zenit St. Petersburg en route to the first of their

Abidal KO adds to Barça concerns

Eric Abidal has joined Daniel Alves and Yaya Touré in being ruled out of the holders' UEFA Champions League first knockout round encounter away to VfB Stuttgart in a fortnight's time.
FC Barcelona's injury problems continue to mount with the news that defender Eric Abidal has suffered a groin tear that could sideline him for up to two months.

The setback provides Josep Guardiola with another headache after the coach last week lost Daniel Alves (calf) and Yaya Touré (thigh) for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round encounter away to VfB Stuttgart on 23 February. The 30-year-old Abidal – who last November signed a one-year contract extension until 2012 – suffered the injury in training for the trip to Club Atlético de Madrid on Sunday.

Seedorf and Capello are Rooney's biggest fears

ROME, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Wayne Rooney fears AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf the most among Manchester United's Champions League last 16 opponents, with the striker adding that England manager Fabio Capello also scared him.

The forward said he was well aware of the threat Seedorf posed after the Dutchman helped Milan knock United out of the competition in the 2004-05 and 2006-07 campaigns.

"Seedorf (is the Milan player I fear most). He's probably the best player I've ever played against," Rooney told Tuesday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Rarely have I seen a player do what he does on the field. You can't leave him out."

Rooney added that he was looking forward to taking on his England team mate David Beckham on the former United player's return to Old Trafford.

"David is a champion and he represents United's history," he said. "I hope he gets a great welcome. It'll be exciting to play against him."

He also echoed Beckham's comments that Capello's stern approach was a big part of his success, after England easily qualified for this year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

"He scares us, like a strict father," Rooney said. "He's made us more of a team. He's worked above all on the tactics. Now we change them for every match."

Champions League final tops Super Bowl in TV survey

MIAMI, Jan 31 (Reuters) - UEFA's Champions League final has for the first time replaced the NFL's Super Bowl as the most-watched annual sports event, according to a survey.

The yearly report from London-based Initiative Futures Sports and Entertainment, found that both events continue to grow but the European soccer final is growing faster.

With 2009 not including a 'mega event' -- a Summer Olympic Games or a soccer World Cup or European championship -- it offered a chance to measure the two biggest annual sporting events.

The Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United, on May 27, drew an average audience of 109 million while the Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals on February 1, attracted three million less.

In terms of 'total audience', the amount of people who watched part of the event, the difference was larger with the Champions League pulling in 206 million throughout the game while the Super Bowl managed 162 million.

While the Super Bowl's audience was overwhelmingly domestic, UEFA's product appeared to be doing better in the battle for viewers globally -- in non-World Cup and non-Olympic Games year.

"The Champions League has been better able to exploit the large burgeoning populations of the Asia-Pacific region," said Kevin Alavay, the report's director, who noted the presence of global brands such as Barcelona and Manchester United helped UEFA.

However, the good news for the NFL was that the 2009 figures were the most-watched Super Bowl.

The report also showed the Super Bowl had the lowest ratio between average and total audience figures among top events -- in other words, a much larger percentage of fans watched all of the Super Bowl than all of the Champions League programming -- a key factor behind the American event's huge appeal to advertisers.

But European soccer was clearly outpacing the NFL in the key growth markets.

"While the Super Bowl has secured free-to-air broadcasting deals in a number of important European markets such as the UK, France and Germany, it's distribution and popularity in the key Asia-Pacific region lags far behind the UEFA Champions League," said the report.

The report, in its seventh year, is based on official data from national bodies and measures 'at-home viewing'.

Alavay said the continued growth of the Super Bowl and the Champions League final was particularly impressive in a time of fragmentation in television audiences caused by digitalisation.

"The value of these properties is actually growing disproportionately and in an area of digitalisation they are more than bucking the trend," he said.

Formula One's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was in third place with an average of 54 million, while the men's 100 metres final from the Athletics world championships was fourth with 33 million.