David Beckham: Hot-shot Wayne Rooney is on fire

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Rooney scored twice as United won last night's first leg at the San Siro 3-2, making them firm favourites to progress after the second leg on 10 March.

Beckham's free-kick led to Ronald-inho's early goal which gave Milan the lead, but his contribution was peripheral after that, and it was no surprise when the former England captain was taken off after 71 minutes.

The 34-year-old former United midfielder could then admire Rooney's second goal, which put United 3-1 up, from the bench, and he said: "Wayne's got great ability. If you give him a chance, he will score. United have quality right throughout the side, and it's very hard to stop them.

"Wayne is on fire. I have always said he was one of the best goalscorers in the world, and now he is proving it week-in, week-out.

"If he has a chance, he will take it. That's the way he is, and it's the way his mind works." Rooney's double took his tally for the season to 25, making this campaign his most prolific since he broke into the Everton team in the 2002/03 season.

The 24-year-old has flourished since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid last summer, and team-mate Patrice Evra believes Rooney has developed more of a killer instinct.

Evra said: "Wayne is more mature. He has learned a lot, and now he has the hunger to score goals, not just to press the ball or do some tackling.

"He is a goalscorer, and I am very happy with him. Every time he plays, he respects the shirt, and he is just a world-class player. We want to win the second leg of this tie and also focus on the Premier League."

Despite some shaky moments in the closing stages after substitute Clarence Seedorf had halved Milan's deficit, Rio Ferdinand was able to celebrate a victory on his return to the United team.

The former West Ham player is due to captain England in the friendly against Egypt on 3 March after John Terry was stripped of the armband by coach Fabio Capello, and Beckham believes Ferdinand will fulfil the role with distinction.

Beckham added: "Rio is a great captain, as he has proved in the past with United. He is a leader."