Centre of attention: Wayne Rooney is mobbed by
team-mates
Wayne Rooney was hailed the 'English phenomenon' by the
Italian press after the
Manchester
United shattered AC Milan's dreams of
Champions League glory.
La Gazzetta dello Sport
described the Barclays Premier League champions as 'like an Italian
team for another era' after Sir Alex Ferguson's men overturned a
woeful record against Milan to win 3-2 in the Champions League last
16, first leg on Tuesday night.
'Manchester United conquered San Siro,' said Gazzetta. 'They did it by beating
Milan 3-2 in a match of contrasts: United were outplayed in the
first half but then turned the tables in the second-half, mainly
thanks to Rooney.'
Corriere dello Sport
agreed that Fabio Capello's great World Cup hope was the main
man.
'Milan creates, Rooney destroys,' they said. 'Milan
dominated the encounter but still suffered defeat, mainly because
of Rooney, the English phenomenon.
'Milan will now have to complete an almost impossible mission at
Old Trafford to go through to the next round.'
Corriere della Sera
mused: 'The first challenge between "The Devils" goes to Manchester
United. The Red Devils prevailed 3-2 over the Rossoneri Devils, who
had taken the lead through Ronaldinho after three minutes but then
conceded to Paul Scholes in the first half and twice to Wayne
Rooney after the interval. A late goal from (Clarence) Seedorf
gives Milan some hope for the second leg.'