Missing man in focus

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will not be fit for the Champions League quarter-final,second leg against Bayern Munich on Wednesday,manager Alex Ferguson said.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will not be fit for the Champions League quarter-final,second leg against Bayern Munich on Wednesday,manager Alex Ferguson said. We have made good progress with the lad. The medical team have been fantastic but Im not prepared to take a risk if the player isnt 100 per cent fit, Ferguson told a news conference on Tuesday. Were looking at the Manchester City game on April 17 and maybe Blackburn on Sunday as a substitute.

Reports in the British media on Monday had suggested the injured England player could make a surprise return at Old Trafford after suffering ankle ligament damage in Munich. I dont think he will be on the bench on Wednesday although he might talk me into it,it is a difficult one, Ferguson added with a smile.

The 24-year-old,who had been ruled out for two to three weeks,did not take part in a training session on Tuesday. Rooney was in top form before the injury,scoring 34 times in all competitions including the opening goal in Uniteds 2-1 first leg defeat by Bayern.

He is a key member of the England team hoping to win this years World Cup in South Africa. Teenager Federico Macheda,who has been hampered by shoulder and calf injuries throughout the season,had been tipped to replace Rooney on Wednesday but Ferguson said the Italian striker would start on the bench. Its been a hard season for the boy8230; weve only had him back a month into full training with the first team. I dont see him starting but certainly he can play a part, said Ferguson. Hes on his way back and the boys a terrific talent.

United have defender John OShea available again after a leg injury. The 28-year-old has not played since sustaining a dead-leg in Irelands World Cup playoff against France in November.

Confident mood

Bayern will arrive in confident mood and could also be boosted by the return of former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben who missed the first leg in Bavaria because of injury. I have hopes hell be able to play,but well have to wait and see. His muscles are still strained, Bayern coach Louis van Gaal told the clubs website on Monday. The German club,bidding for a fifth European Cup,have never lost against United at Old Trafford and their display in the first leg when they largely dominated after a poor start suggests they are capable of scoring an away goal. They will also have added steel to cope with any United onslaught with Bastian Schweinsteiger back from suspension.

Lyon have the edge

Pedigree,recent form and a two-goal advantage from the first leg suggest Olympique Lyon will knock out Girondins Bordeaux on Wednesday to advance to the last four of the Champions League.

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Lyon,who won 3-1 at home last week after an exciting first leg of the all-French quarter-final clash,have greater experience of European battles and boosted their morale by winning 2-1 at Stade Rennes on Saturday to go top in Ligue 1.