Rooney ready for United return

Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson says striker Wayne Rooney will be fit for the UEFA Champions League final and could even feature in Sunday's Premier League title decider at Wigan Athletic FC.

Rooney return
Rooney has not played since scoring in the 2-1 loss to title rivals and UEFA Champions League final opponents Chelsea FC two weeks ago. Doubts had been raised over whether he would figure again this season following the recurrence of a hip injury, picked up against Blackburn Rovers FC on 19 April. But Sir Alex has moved to ease supporters' fears by revealing the 22-year-old could even make an appearance against Wigan. "He may be on the bench," Sir Alex said. "He'll certainly be fit for the Champions League final."

Vidić recovery
United go into Sunday's game locked on 84 points with Chelsea, who are at home to Bolton Wanderers FC, but with a vastly superior goal difference. They will almost certainly win the tenth Premier League crown of Sir Alex's reign should they prevail at the JJB Stadium. United's morale has received a further boost with the news that Serbia defender Nemanja Vidić is also close to returning to action.

United upbeat
Vidić sat out last Saturday's 4-1 victory over West Ham United FC after suffering concussion in an accidental clash with Chelsea forward Didier Drogba on 26 April. "I'm hopeful of having Vida," Sir Alex said. "We'll have had eight days to prepare by the time the game comes round on Sunday, which is a bonus. The training sessions have been quite light and all the little niggles have cleared up. The mood is very good in the camp."

Carvalho faith
Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho, meanwhile, says the pressure could tell on United as the last day of the season approaches. "They will have more pressure on them than us because nearly everyone believes the title is already United's," he said. "Cristiano [Ronaldo] is their big star but he is human too and he could fail under all the expectation. Miracles do happen. It has been a sensational race and for us to go into the final day level on points is incredible. Many people wrote us off after two months and now we have the chance to win an amazing double. The whole squad believes we can do it."