Come back with a bang, United tell eager Rooney

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After being sidelined with a broken metatarsal since the opening day of the season, Rooney has become increasingly impatient at being made to wait for his comeback.

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Rooney has lost time to make up for

He felt ready to return against Everton on Saturday after resuming training at the start of last week, but instead spent the weekend building up his fitness at United's Carrington complex.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson opted for caution over his fit-again England striker but will urge him to channel his aggression in a positive manner.

As Ferguson mulled over using him as a substitute or plunging him into the starting line-up, he suffered a setback in midfield. Owen Hargreaves' troublesome thigh strain has prevented him from travelling.

'I haven't had this sort of injury before,' said Hargreaves. 'I thought I would be fit for England's game with Israel but wasn't. It was the same for the Russia game and for United at Everton. Still it isn't right, so I can only hope I will be fit for the weekend.'

As Nani waited for word of whether he will face his old club, he welcomed the availability of Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been suspended.

'It's going to be emotional going back,' said the winger, likely to be among the substitutes. 'My heart is in Lisbon but, as a pro, I want nothing other than a United win.

'I've spoken to Cristiano and we both feel there could be a few early nerves about returning home. But if we can score first the pressure will be on Sporting and having Wayne and Cristiano back gives us an extra edge.

'Wayne's recovery is a real positive, particularly with two huge battles coming up against Sporting and then Chelsea on Sunday.'