By Pete Oliver
MANCHESTER, England April 24 - Manchester United
manager Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney's dramatic late
winner against AC Milan on Tuesday has given his side a golden
opportunity to reach the final of the Champions League.
United will take a 3-2 lead to the San Siro Stadium for next
Wednesday's second leg of their semi-final after coming from 2-1
down at half-time to win thanks to two goals from Rooney,
including one in time added on for stoppages.
Ferguson said: "He was a threat to them all night and the
winning goal was incredible. He didn't take a touch but hit it
first time and it was a brilliant goal.
"Wayne's goals have put us in a fantastic position. I think
we will score over there again with the speed of the team.
"It will not be easy in Milan but they know it won't be easy
either. One thing is I think we have an outstanding chance now."
Ferguson's side led with an early goal from Cristiano
Ronaldo that Milan keeper Dida helped into the net but two goals
against a makeshift defence from Kaka, who took his tally in
this season's competition to nine, seemingly put six-times
winners Milan in control until Rooney struck to swing the tie
back United's way.
FERGUSON HOPING
Ferguson, who hopes Rio Ferdinand will be fit to return for
the second leg, added: "At 2-1 down against a team of that
standard it is difficult but I did say at half-time to persevere
with our football and keep playing with speed because I did
think it would make a difference.
"We lost two terrible goals ourselves by bad defending but
it was a great second goal and that gave us a big incentive.
"There was only going to be one winner after that, albeit
with the last kick of the ball. I think we were the better team
from the moment we scored the second goal.
"Of course you makes mistakes in games like that but we also
created some great moments of football which I was delighted
with and proves we have the quality to to win this tournament."
GREAT FEELING
Rooney described scoring his match-winning goal, which he
drove past Dida after running onto a pass from Ryan Giggs, as a
great feeling.
He said: "We knew if we could get a victory here it would
make it a bit easier going to Milan and a goal in the last
minute was a great feeling.
"Being 2-1 behind at half time we knew it was going to be
difficult to get the win but the manager said at half-time keep
pushing, keep going and you will get goals at the end.
"The Italians are known for being great defensively so to
win is a great boost for us.
"It will always be difficult in Milan and two years ago it
was a very difficult game for us but after getting that goal
hopefully we will get the result we need."
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes United are now slight
favourites to reach the final in Athens on May 23 against either
Chelsea or Liverpool.
But Ancelotti hopes Paolo Maldini and Gennaro Gattuso will
shrug off injuries sustained at Old Trafford and striker Filippo
Inzaghi will be fit to play in the return fixture.
Ancelotti said: "They have a small advantage but I still
think it's all to play for. It will suit Manchester United being
able to play on the counter-attack, which is one of their great
strengths, but we have lot of faith and confidence going into
the game next week.
"We're disappointed though I think we're in a better state
than after the home leg of the quarter-final against Bayern
Munich (which finished 2-2).
"To let in a late goal like that was very careless, maybe a
draw would have been a fairer result. We played very well in the
first half and controlled possession but when Gattuso went off
some of the heart was ripped out of the team and we fell off a
bit and let them dictate the game."