MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson praised match-winner Wayne Rooney after his first goal of the season earned the British club a 1-0 win over AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Rooney's 70th-minute strike took United clear at the top of Group F and confirmed his return to form after recovering from a broken bone in his foot which kept him out for more than a month earlier this season.

"It was only his fourth or fifth match and he is still trying to get his rhythm and real match fitness," said Ferguson.