Wayne Rooney brace gives Man Utd victory in Milan

AC Milan 2 Manchester United 3. The present played the past last night in Milan as far as Manchester United fans were concerned and the past got hammered. David Beckham, the player once known as golden balls of Old Trafford, could only watch and admire as Wayne Rooney's two goals condemned AC Milan to a 3-2 home defeat and confirmed the Reds' striker as one of the hottest properties in the world game right now.

Rooney's brace took his tally for the season to 25 and earned high praise from United's boss Alex Ferguson. "He's always had great ability and his ability is as good as the best players in the world," said the Scot. "What he has done is add goals to that ability. If he continues to do this, he must be regarded alongside the best players in the world."

It is the first time Manchester United have beaten AC Milan in the San Siro but there was no sign of an upset in the early stages of the game. The visitors looked off the pace in the first half, a pale imitation of the side that had gone nine games unbeaten. It took just three minutes for Milan to take the lead when a Beckham free-kick was rifled into the back of the United net by Ronaldinho after shoddy defending from Patrice Evra.

A flat-footed United defence were lucky not to concede more goals in a torrid first period as Ronaldinho again showed his class, twice forcing good saves from Edwin van der Sar in the United goal. Klaas Jan Huntelaar also had a couple of opportunities to extend Milan's lead but showed little of the finishing skill that has prompted recent speculation that he might soon be joining the Old Trafford club.

In contrast United rarely threatened the Milan goal, yet contrived to grab an equaliser on 36 minutes when Scholes scuffed an attempted volley from Darren Fletcher's cross but to his delight saw it find the back of the net.

Ferguson had some strong words to say to his side at half-time but it took time for them to sink in as Milan started the second period strongly. But then on the hour mark United began to play like they have been doing in recent weeks, exploiting the tiring legs of their opponents. On 66 minutes the visitors took the lead when Rooney rose to meet substitute Antonio Valencia's cross, and eight minutes later he found the net with another header, this time benefiting from Fletcher's centre.

With Beckham off and the life seemingly drained from their side, the home fans began to exit the San Siro in silence. But there was a late surprise when Milan pulled a goal back thanks to Clarence Seedorf's neat flick after good work down the left from Ronaldinho.

The win extended United's unbeaten away record in Europe to 16 games and sent out a stark warning to their Champions League rivals – restrain Rooney or lose. As Beckham said afterwards: "When you're up against players like Wayne Rooney, it's very difficult to play against them."

Rooney himself was candid in his assessment of his side's display, saying: "In the first half some people were not doing their jobs right. I got booked and I learned from it. In the second half we stepped it up and deserved to win. We were always the better side in the second half. I've been working on my headers and I'm delighted with that." ·