Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Wayne Rooney to beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of 42 goals from two years ago over the course of the remainder of the season.

The England hitman moved on to 30 for the campaign after hitting a brace in the 4-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night as the Red Devils comfortably progressed 7-2 on aggregate.

Rooney (3/10 to finish as top scorer)  is currently the leading marksman in the Premier League with 23 goals to his name, four more than Chelsea’s Didier Drogba (12/5) with Darren Bent (20/1) of Sunderland further back on 18.

And Ferguson said: “It’s a challenge [for Rooney to get 42 goals]. I was just happy for him to reach 30, to be honest with you.

“But he keeps on improving and he was sensational again.”

Rooney was brought off in the second half against Milan but Ferguson has confirmed it was precautionary as he is still troubled by a slight knee problem.

“He is still carrying an injury, nothing serious, but with a game on Sunday (against Fulham) we wanted him off early,” said the Scot.

Rooney has now scored four Champions League goals after surprisingly drawing a blank in the group stage.

Ronaldo’s 42 goals from 2007/08 included 31 in the Premier League.

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Wayne Rooney looks set to feature for Manchester United in their huge Champions League showdown on Wednesday against AC Milan after coming through a training session on Tuesday (United 8/13, Milan 9/2 the draw 11/4 match odds).

The in-form striker was rated as doubtful for the last-16 second-leg clash and missed United’s 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday due to his knee injury.

However, he did train with the rest of the United squad at Carrington ahead of the much-anticipated Old Trafford game and looks like being fit to start against Leonardo’s side (United 11/2 Champions League outright winners).

Ryan Giggs, however, is not expected to play in the game, which United hold a slender 3-2 advantage from the first leg, despite training after having a plate removed from the arm he broke at Aston Villa recently.

Michael Carrick is suspended for the second leg following his late dismissal in the San Siro, so Darren Fletcher is in line to return to the starting line-up as boss Sir Alex Ferguson ponders his options.

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson feels Wayne Rooney is to blame for the knee injury which could rule him out of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves 9/1, United 3/10, draw 4/1 weekend coupon).

The Red Devils chief was unhappy that the 24-year-old striker agreed to play for England in Wednesday’s 3-1 international frienly win against Egypt at Wembley, despite carrying a slight knee problem following last Sunday’s Carling Cup final win against Aston Villa.

Following his 86-minute run-out for the Three Lions, top scorer Rooney (3/10 Premier League Top Goalscorer) is a doubt for United’s trip to Molineux and Ferguson feels his player was at fault rather than England coach Fabio capello.

“I don’t think he should have played,” he said.

“It is his own enthusiasm that has caused it. His problem is that he can’t say no.

“He told us on Sunday he was feeling his knee. Then all of a sudden people put an arm around his shoulder with England and he wants to play.

“Fabio Capello has to pick his best team. A win was important so I don’t blame him at all.

“I was more disappointed with Wayne. Why didn’t he come off? I cant believe it.”

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Carling Cup hero Wayne Rooney is a doubt for the international friendly against Egypt on Wednesday (England 3/10 draw 16/5 Egypt 8/1 - match betting) because of a knee injury, according to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The red-hot England striker took his goals tally to 28 in all competitions (Rooney 3/10 Premier League Top Goalscorer) this season with a winning header in the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley on Sunday.

The 24-year-old was introduced from the substitutes’ bench just before half-time for the injured Michael Owen, who now faces three weeks out because of a hamstring injury, and Ferguson revealed Rooney had been playing with some discomfort for a few weeks.

“He got a whack right away,” Ferguson said. “He has been complaining about that for a few weeks and I thought we might have to take him off.

“The doctors are assessing it. I don’t know what England are going to do.”

England manager Fabio Capello is expected to make a decision on Rooney’s availability for Wednesday’s visit of the African Nations Cup winners in the next 24 hours.

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Sir Alex Ferguson has told his Manchester United players the only way they will enjoy Wembley on Sunday is by winning the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa (Aston Villa 16/5 draw 12/5 Man United 20/23 - match betting).

The Scot has stressed his players must not get caught up in the emotion of the day when they compete in their fourth League Cup final in eight years - and their third in five – against Martin O’Neill’s Champions League hopefuls.

Villa famously prevented United from winning a domestic treble in 1994 when they recorded a 3-1 win (33/1 Correct Score) under the stewardship of former Old Trafford boss Ron Atkinson.

This time around. Ferguson knows Sunday is an ideal opportunity to put an another trophy on the shelf and insists winning – not the occasion – is all that matters.

“Wembley is an occasion. It has always been that way,” said Ferguson.

“But the only way you can enjoy Wembley is by winning. We have got an opportunity to win something on Sunday. It is not a nice day when you lose.”

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Rio Ferdinand won’t be fit to face Aston Villa (5/2 to beat United in 90 minute betting) in the Carling Cup final on Sunday.

The 31-year-old failed to make his return from suspension in the 3-0 victory over West Ham on Tuesday night because of yet another back injury.

The problem looks set to keep Ferdinand out for the next couple of games, including England’s friendly against Egypt next week when the former Leeds man was expected to lead his country out ahead of Fabio Capello naming his provisional squad for the World Cup (England 11/2 to win the tournament).

“He tweaked his back in training and he won’t be ready for Sunday,” said Ferguson.

United (2/5 to win the Carling Cup) will also be without Anderson for the cup final after he was forced off early in the game against West Ham with a reoccurrence of the knee injury that has kept him out for the last month.

Ferguson has said he will make changes ahead of the game against Villa and there looks to be an outside chance of Michael Owen (7/4 to score anytime) starting the game after he came off the bench to score the third against the Hammers in midweek.

“There will be changes on Sunday now,” added the Scot.

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Sir Alex Ferguson believes having the weekend off will give Manchester United the advantage when they travel to take on AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday (AC Milan 8/5 draw 11/5 Man United 7/5 Champions League - match betting).

An early exit from the FA Cup at the hands of bitter rivals Leeds meant the Premier League champions (Man United 13/10 Premier League - Outright) could rest ahead of the last-16 first-leg at the San Siro.

Milan beat Udinese 3-2 on Friday in Serie A and Ferguson is convinced the extra time off will give his players the edge.

The Scot has also suggested the Serie A title-chasers have been weakened by the loss of Brazil superstar Kaka to Real Madrid.

“It’s a good time for us to be going to Milan,” said Ferguson.

“They played this weekend (beating Udinese 3-2 on Friday night), they’ve lost Kaka and have a few injuries, whereas we aren’t playing this weekend and we have had a good rest.”

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David Beckham has admitted he will find it difficult to completely shut out his emotions when AC Milan face his old club Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday (AC Milan 8/5 draw 11/5 Man United 7/5 Champions League - match betting).

The 34-year-old England midfielder, who won Europe’s elite club competition with United in 1999, comes up against his former employers in a competitive game for the first time since leaving them in 2003 when the sides meet in the last 16 at the San Siro.

The World Cup hopeful (8/1 First and Last Goalscorer) has said for all his emotional ties to the Premier League champions that Milan must come first in a game of huge importance.

He told the Sunday Times: “Obviously there will be emotions but I don’t think it will be a problem. I’ve played in many big games.”

Beckham, who is likely to start on the bench in Italy, added: “There has been so much talk about me going back to Manchester United in the second leg, because it will be my first time playing for a club there in seven years. But this tie is not just about me playing against United, it’s about AC Milan. It’s about two great clubs coming together, and that’s what makes it such a big game, for the teams, for the fans.”

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Sir Alex Ferguson hailed match winner Wayne Rooney as the difference for Manchester United after his last-gasp goal over local rivals Manchester City secured their place in the Carling Cup final.

Ferguson’s side will meet Aston Villa (5/2 Villa, United 10/11, the draw at 90 minutes 9/4 with Totesport) at Wembley next month after they saw off City 3-1 in the second leg of the semi-final to win 4-3 on aggregate at a bouncing Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

Afterwards. Fergie described Rooney as “truly world class” although he would have been relieved the England star finally took one of his chances in the match to prevent the game from going to extra time.

“His control, his leading of the line, his penetration was absolutely fantastic,” the United boss said. “It was a wonderful performance, truly world class.”

Carlos Tevez appeared to have returned to haunt his old club once again as his goal seemed set to take the tie to extra time following earlier strikes from Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick, which had turned the clash on its head in the second half.

United return to Premier League action on Sunday (3/1 with Totesport to win the league) with a tough trip to title rivals Arsenal (4/1 to lift the title) while City host bottom-club Portsmouth on the same day.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims Manchester City’s financial muscle will have no bearing on Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final second leg at Old Trafford (United 8/13, City 9/2, draw 11/4 90 Minutes).

The two sides meet for a place in next month’s final against Aston Villa at Wembley (United 10/11, City 4/5 Carling Cup To Qualify) with City leading 2-1 from last week’s first leg at Eastlands.

And, despite City’s owners funding a £120million spending spree to bolster their ranks last summer being followed by more recent reports claiming United are currently working with debts of over £700million, Ferguson insists that will not affect the outcome of the game as the clubs go for Carling Cup (United 2/1 Outright) glory.

“This has nothing to do with anything other than it is a local derby and it is a semi final.” said Ferguson.

“It doesn’t matter if they had no money or little money. It is a route to the final and it is going to be a different game.

“I am certain the atmosphere will be fantastic.”

Ferguson must decide whether to appeal against Rio Ferdinand’s violent conduct charge for hitting out at Hull’s Craig Fagan on Saturday ahead of the game.

If they do appeal Ferdinand will be able to play against City but could have a three-match suspension extended to four if the Football Association deem that appeal to be frivolous.

That would keep the influential defender out of United’s next four Premier League matches and possibly hamper their bid for a fourth successive title (13/5 Premier League Outright).