Vidic: It would be fun to face Rooney in SA Nemanja Vidic is relishing the prospect of facing Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney at this summer's World Cup. Vidic and Rooney will come face-to-face if Serbia and England are drawn together in the last 16 in South Africa. And although Vidic hailed Rooney, with 32 goals this season, as the best striker in the world, the Serb said he would love to test himself against England's main man. "Wayne is definitely the best striker in the world," said Vidic. "And after sharing the same dressing-room, it would be fun to play against him. One of us would have to lose and he's a great player, who would be hard to keep quiet. But that's the challenge. That's why you play football. I mentioned to him that if we got through we have a chance to meet England. I said it would be an interesting game. He said 'Serbia? Who plays for them?'. He was joking." David McDonnell, The Mirror
There's plenty of interest in the news that Steven Gerrard is free to face United on Sunday after the FA confirmed they'll take no action against the Liverpool midfielder following his clash with Portsmouth's Michael Brown.
The Sun have an exclusive interview with Rio Ferdinand in which the Reds defender reveals his great-grandad died fighting in the Somme in the First World War.
Writing in The Express, David Miller champions Wayne Rooney's England captain credentials, while in other World Cup news, Oliver Holt argues in The Mirror for Gary Neville's inclusion, alongside brother Phil, in England's squad.
And several papers carry more quotes from Ji-sung Park. The Korean says: "I do not think of myself as a standard bearer for Asian players. I just try to work hard for myself. I don't want people to think of me as an Asian player. I am just a football player."
The Brazilian right-back played his part in United's knock-out victory over Milan, from marking Ronaldinho in the first leg to setting up a goal for Darren Fletcher in the second...
What was the reaction back home to you playing in the Champions League against Ronaldinho? Honestly, it feels like everybody in Brazil has asked me what it was like playing against him! It was magic for me, considering that Ronaldinho is a Brazilian idol. I am just a young player still learning the game, so it was a great experience coming up against a player like him.
Is he the toughest opponent you’ve faced so far? I’d have to say yes, he’s been one of the best players in the world for some time. He’s done a lot in his career and he is still playing at the very highest level. He is a wonderful player.
Is the Champions League popular in Brazil? Yes, it's very big and very famous. It means a lot to me as a Brazilian to play in the Champions League. It’s hard to find the right words to express the feeling. It’s always a wonderful occasion.
You're back in the squad after a long time out with injury. Was that a frustrating period for you? Last year I had a lot of opportunities to play in the first team, and earlier this season I was frustrated because I started the campaign out injured. I thought that I’d have a big chance to try to play in the team a lot this term. But now I have recovered and I’m back playing, and I feel in good shape.
You’ve played more games than your brother, Fabio. Is that hard for him? I think I was a bit luckier than my brother because Gary Neville and Wes Brown both had injuries, which meant I had a chance to show what I could do. Patrice Evra never gets injured – he’s like an elastic man! Fabio is a bit unlucky because of that. Last season he felt a bit frustrated because he was injured as well, but this season he feels more integrated in the squad. He’s doing well and I’m sure he’ll get his chance.
Is he thinking of moving to the right? [Laughs] Yes, he’s threatened to so that he has an opportunity to take my place – but I won’t give it up easily!
Wayne Rooney is reaping the benefits of hard work on the training ground, says team-mate Darren Fletcher.
The Reds striker is fit to face AC Milan on Wednesday after recovering from a knee injury which kept him out of United’s win at Wolves on Saturday. He's been in scintillating form with 28 goals so far this season. But Fletcher isn't surprised by Rooney's performances having witnessed his team-mate's dedication to becoming one of the world’s best players.
“What you’re seeing are the rewards of his hard work in training,” Fletcher says. “He’s matured and improved as a player and risen to the challenge of being the team’s main goalscorer. He’s got stronger as the season has gone on and his confidence is growing. He really does believe he’s up there with the best players in the world - and his form shows that he is.”
One of the world’s most famous footballers will be back at OT on Wednesday as David Beckham makes his long-awaited return to the home of the Reds. Fletcher is a big admirer of the 34-year-old, but admits there'll be no room for sentiment come kick-off. “As a youngster he was one of the players I looked up to alongside Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs,” revealed the Scot.
“He’s a top-class player and although he moved on, he’s had a successful career and is battling for a place in the England World Cup squad, so he’ll be out to impress everyone. I’m sure he’ll be welcomed back just like he was by our fans in Milan, but the most important thing for us is to concentrate on winning the match. Once the game kicks off, friendship goes out the window.”
The good news for United ahead of Wednesday's crucial Champions League last 16 clash with AC Milan is that Wayne Rooney took part in training at Carrington on Tuesday morning.
United's in-form front man missed Saturday's 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers after a draining week of playing two matches on an energy-sapping Wembley pitch.
The 24-year-old played over an hour of United's 2-1 Carling Cup final victory over Aston Villa, and then, much to Sir Alex's annoyance, was used for almost the whole match in England's midweek friendly win against Egypt at the national stadium.
But Rooney joined the rest of his team-mates at United's training headquarters on Tuesday, and Sir Alex later confirmed at his press conference that the forward was fit to play in the game.
There were 21 players being put through their paces at the Trafford Training Centre, although Mame Biram Diouf didn't take part in the full session, Michael Carrick is suspended for Wednesday's game and Ryan Giggs did only light jogging away from the main group.
Sir Alex Ferguson will give a full fitness update at his pre-match press conference at 14:00 GMT. Follow events at the media briefing in the Today at Old Trafford blog, with reaction and full quotes immediately afterwards on ManUtd.com.
Full training squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak; Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Rafael, Evra, Neville, De Laet; Park, Scholes, Carrick, Obertan, Gibson, Valencia, Nani, Fletcher; Rooney, Berbatov, Diouf.