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, 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."

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.
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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."

Guardian Unlimited

It wasn`t to be this year as Manchester United slumped out of Europe, losing in the semi final to AC Milan by 3 goals to 0. Aggregate score over both legs 5-3 to Milan.

To be honest the Reds were never really in it. Their passing was unusually sloppy, their performance lacklustre. Milan did manage to rest six players out of their starting line up last weekend, United were unable to enjoy that same luxury due to their injury situation. they looked a little jaded, and had very few shots at goal.

So, the Final in Athens on May 23rd is between the same two finalists of 2 years ago - AC Milan, and Liverpool. Milan are out for revenge after losing a solid lead in that confrontation, with Liverpool winning with just minutes to go.