Striker Wayne Rooney will sensationally start for Manchester United against Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Old Trafford.
Rooney broke down with sprained ankle ligaments at the end of the first leg just eight days ago, and was initially ruled out for up to a month. But despite manager Sir Alex Ferguson's assertions on Monday that the 24-year-old would not play, he will lead the line on Wednesday evening in a must-win game for his side.
Ferguson's side lost 2-1 in the first leg in Munich after Ivica Olic's late winner and the Red Devils know that anything but a win will see them crash out of Europe's premier club competition.
Dimitar Berbatov makes way for Rooney in attack, and there is also a surprise start for midfielder Darron Gibson in midfield. Rafael da Silva replaces Gary Neville at right-back after the Englishmen endured a torrid time against Franck Ribery at the Allianz Arena.
United are attempting to reach their third successive Champions League final this season and, if they can overcome the German giants, they will meet either Olympique Lyonnais or Bordeaux in the semi-finals.
Bayern have some good news of their own, however, as both winger Arjen Robben and defender Daniel van Buyten have been passed fit to start the game after overcoming their own injury concerns.
Manchester United starting XI: Van der Sar; Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael, Gibson, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Nani, Rooney.
Bayern Munich starting XI: Butt; Lahm, Demichelis, Van Buyten, Badstuber; Robben, Schweinsteiger, Van Bommel, Ribery; Muller, Olic.
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