Rooney could come off the bench for Man United

Will he or won't he? Confusion still swirls around the possible participation of Wayne Rooney in Manchester United's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.

With Arsenal cast out of the competition by the genius of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, United are the sole Premier League survivors, although they go into tonight's game trailing 2-1 from the first leg. Without Rooney in their ranks they are a far less formidable proposition for the Germans - but with their home fans behind them United will still consider themselves favourites.

It was in Germany last week that Rooney went over on his ankle as Bayern scored their decisive second goal. The initial concern was that the United striker had suffered a serious injury and would be out for some time. It later transpired that any ligament damage was minimal and that he would be back within a month.

The comeback was then revised to two or three weeks and then, as the build-up to the second leg began, it was indicated that Rooney could make a sensational return, eight days after the injury.

United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, has been at his most enigmatic on the matter. Ruling the player out and then ruling him back in. "He has no chance [of starting the match]," said Ferguson. "I don't think he will be on the bench, but he might try to persuade me and talk me into it. It's a difficult one."

Rooney himself did not appear at the public training session on Tuesday, apparently confirming his absence from the squad. But it later emerged that he had taken part in a training game later that day - and suddenly it seemed as though he would be able to take part.

With United's front line looking less than impressive without him - Dimitar Berbatov struggled on his own at the weekend - Ferguson must be tempted to give the 24-year-old a chance. And the bookies, incredibly, still have Rooney as favourite to score first.

Bayern welcome back Arjen Robben from injury and have Bastian Schweinsteiger available after suspension. They will fancy their chances as they have never lost to United in Manchester. Indeed Manchester United have only overturned a first leg deficit once in Champions League history.

But alongside those five exits sits one of their greatest performances ever, the 7-1 thrashing of Roma in 2007. ·