Ferguson Revels in Rooney Return

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will welcome back striker Wayne Rooney after illness for the visit of Queens Park Rangers.

Rooney missed the league defeat to Norwich City last weekend and the Champions League trip to Galatasaray in mid-week.

But the England international will return for the game against QPR this weekend, while Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are both doubts.

"Wayne Rooney is fit," Ferguson confirmed. "He had tonsillitis but has been training all week, which is good. Jonny Evans will hopefully train today but I don't know if he will be available for tomorrow. Chris Smalling had a small shoulder injury on Tuesday night.

"I wanted to play Phil Jones anyway - at least the two of them are back because I thought Jones did very well in his first game back, which is really good news. Nani is not available yet, he's not fit yet. He's still got a little problem with his hamstring."

Anthony Pilkington headed in the second half winner for Norwich at Carrow Road to end a run of five successive league wins and see United relinquish top spot in the Premier League.

But successive games against London sides QPR and West Ham United, with leaders City set to travel to Chelsea, United will be seeking to reclaim top spot.

Managerless Rangers were the team who conceded the late goals against City on the final day of last season, and United will be seeking revenge after Sergio Aguero's effort denied the club of a 20<sup>th league title.

Ferguson says he hopes that some added continuity will assist to the United first team can result in a return to form.

"Hopefully, we can get back on track tomorrow after the disappointment of last week," Ferguson added.

"If you analyse things a little bit more closely, it's probably a lesson to everyone that changing a team and bringing 11 new players in to the [Barclays] Premier League is not easy.

"But I am surprised they've only got four points. I didn't expect them to immediately set a blazing trail or be up at the top of the league or anything like that with 11 new players to bed in. But they've only four points and of course that creates its own headlines."