ROONEY WELCOMED BACK

"Wayne was always going to come on, particularly if we needed a goal," said Sir Alex.

"When he did come on he just seemed to brighten up the place and attacked people and showed some great pieces of vision in his game. We are really pleased about that.

"If he gets into scoring form the way he did last season and gets in a run of goals, single goals, then I tell you it makes some difference to our team.

"In a way he was probably wanting a little break and a rest. He probably relished it. He showed such fantastic freshness.

"He was in such sparkling form against Portsmouth it makes it difficult to leave him out on Wednesday. We will give it some thought."