Rooney progress delights Ferguson

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney is "quickly" progressing towards top form after his performance in the 1-1 draw against Valencia.

Anderson's second-half equaliser ensured United qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League as top seeds.

Valencia had claimed a shock lead through Pablo Hernandez but the Spanish outfit were pegged back after half-time when Anderson finished off the rebound to Park Ji-sung's blistering effort.

Rooney was effervescent throughout and Ferguson believes he is quickly approaching top form.

"Absolutely, he did very well again tonight," the United boss told Sky Sports 2.

"His distribution, his leading of the line and his workrate were outstanding tonight. He's getting there, and he's getting there quickly."

Ferguson said of Rooney's partnership with Dimitar Berbatov: "We've seen flashes of it. Maybe not as much as against Blackburn, for instance, but Berba tonight could have scored another five. He's been unlucky not to score tonight."

Rooney admits there is more room for improvement but is happy with his progress.

"I feel good fitness-wise," he said. "Just in and around the box I've got to get my sharpness back but overall I'm happy with my fitness and with my performance today."

Rio Ferdinand limped off five minutes after the break but Ferguson revealed the early assessment was that he had not done any lasting damage to his hamstring.