Manchester: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is unlikely to risk injured striker Wayne Rooney against Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
Rooney injured ligaments in his right ankle last Tuesday when United lost to Bayern 2-1 in the first leg, but he is already ahead of schedule after initially been ruled out for up to three weeks. "We have made some progress with the lad, the medical team have done fantastic, but I'm not prepared to take a risk when the player is not 100 percent fit," Ferguson said.
"We are looking more at the Manchester City game (on April 17), maybe Blackburn as a sub (on Sunday), but the boy is making good progress."
Ferguson, however, didn't rule out the possibility that Rooney would play against Bayern at Old Trafford.
"I don't think (he will be on the bench)," Ferguson said. "Maybe he will talk me into it. It's a difficult one."
Rooney has scored 34 goals this season as the team chases a fourth straight Premier League title and a third consecutive Champions League final appearance. Without Rooney on Saturday, United lost to Chelsea 2-1 and dropped into second place in the Premier League behind the London club.
Without Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov would be expected to produce goals up front for United, but the Bulgarian rarely starts big matches and has scored only 12 goals this season.
Federico Macheda, an 18-year-old forward who scored Saturday, is another option. He is expected to be on the bench against Bayern after an injury-plagued season.
"He is on his way back. He is a terrific talent and a real penalty box player," Ferguson said. "I don't see him starting, but I do think he can play a part."
The Red Devils are chasing a spot in the Champions League semifinals for the fourth consecutive season, but midfielder Ryan Giggs isn't looking past Bayern yet.
"They have got strength in depth and players who can come on and make a difference," Giggs said. "Together with the history of the club, you always have to be wary of these teams because they have experience in the Champions League.
"We knew we were up against a good side (last week). We just did not play as well as we know we are capable of."
Bayern travels to Old Trafford after beating Schalke 2-1 and regaining first place in the German standings. And Arjen Robben, who missed the first leg with a calf injury, and central defender Daniel van Buyten, who picked up a leg injury Saturday, hope to be ready for action again at Old Trafford.
"The small injury came at a very bad time. I'm really glad I will be here playing," Robben said. "I'm ready, I'm here and I didn't travel just to be in the stands."
With Bayern going nine years without reaching the semifinals, the players have been quick to dampen expectations.
"Manchester to me is the favorite. They are playing at home. They are the joint favorite with Barcelona to win the competition," Bayern midfielder Mark van Bommel said. "But it's important for us to get through, because it has a financial impact and an impact on the image of the team."
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