The prospect of a first all English Champions League final moved a step closer last night when Manchester United came from behind to record a memorable victory over AC Milan at an enthralled Old Trafford.

United’s hopes of a meeting with Liverpool or Chelsea in Athens next month were receding before Wayne Rooney struck in the dying seconds — his second goal of the night — to secure a dramatic 3-2 win that ensured the momentum will be with Sir Alex Ferguson’s team when they travel to the San Siro for the second leg of their semi-final a week today.

“Of course you make mistakes in games like that, but we also created some great moments that I’m delighted with and it proves we have got the quality to win this tournament,” the United manager said. “It’s not going to be easy in Milan — and they know it’s not going to be easy for them, either. But I think we have an outstanding chance now.”

United’s makeshift defence imploded inside 15 first-half minutes when Kaká plundered two clinically taken goals as Milan came from behind to lead 2-1, but a Rooney-inspired comeback leaves United as the favourites to progress to the final on May 23. Chelsea take on Liverpool in the first leg of their semi-final at Stamford Bridge this evening.

However, United’s task will be tougher after Patrice Evra, the left back, picked up his second caution of the knockout stages. He will be suspended and with Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand struggling to overcome injuries and Nemanja Vidic definitely out, it means that Ferguson could be without his entire first-choice back four.

Last night’s match was billed as a battle between the world’s two best players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká, but while both produced superlative performances — the Portugal winger being credited with United’s first goal even though Dida, the Milan goalkeeper, pushed the ball into his own net — they were ultimately upstaged by Rooney, who restored parity on the hour with a deft finish before his dramatic late intervention.

“The winning goal was an incredible hit,” Ferguson said. “It was a brilliant goal from Wayne. I think on these occasions you need players to get to the heights and we got that.”

Rooney, who took his United tally for the season to 22, said: “We kept going and hopefully that goal will make it that little bit easier when we go to Italy for the away leg. It’s fantastic to come from behind to beat Milan. We knew it was going to be difficult but we kept pushing and it was nice to get the win.”

For the Italians in the crowd, the result evoked memories of Milan’s collapse against Liverpool in the final in Istanbul two years ago when, leading 3-0 at half-time, they conceded three goals in the second half before losing on penalties. “Maybe we were a bit fearful,” Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, said. “We gifted United victory.”