Rooney has linked up with other bright young things at Old Trafford like Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Fletcher after moving from Everton.

Ferguson said: “He has come to a club where there a lot of improvers in the team, players who practice a lot.

“There is a lot of ambition about the club and hopefully that will help Wayne. I feel we are ready to progress as a team.

“Ronaldo for one is improving all the time and I cannot speak highly enough of the boy. He has been absolutely fantastic.

“The great thing he has is courage, which is unbelievable. The great players have all got that quality.

“We have got good young players and over the next few years you will see that. Cristiano is 19, Wayne reaches that age next month and young Fletcher has turned 20 and is a terrific talent.”

Defender Wes Brown, 24, says there is a mood of confidence around the camp following the arrival of Rooney and the return of defender Rio Ferdinand after an eight-month ban.

“You can tell Wayne is a good player when you see him train,” he said. “He is quick and strong on the turn.

“He is one of the players when you play against him, you have to look for him. He can cause you problems.

“We are feeling good now that Rio is back as well. He has been terrific and not looked out of shape at all.”

Ferguson was toying with the idea of bringing in Rooney against Tottenham after he recovered from a broken foot but in the end he decided against it.

He is now set to unleash arguably England’s finest prospect against the Turkish team tonight.

“I am just mulling over whether to start him or put him on the bench,” said Ferguson.

“Maybe putting him on the bench would be the fairest thing to do. Nonetheless, he is going to be involved. The caution I got from our medics was that he did not play until they said so.

“I was happy with that. I had to take advice about his long-term future. We want him back so he can stay back.”

Ferguson, however, says it could be some time before Rooney reaches his peak.

“In three to four years’ time we might see the full article,” he said.

“Then we can say this boy has been a great investment. The thing he has to get is consistency and there are things he needs to learn.

“One of those things is tactics. No player I know goes forward without practising.”

Fenerbahce opened their campaign by beating Sparta Prague and Ferguson expects a tough game.

The vital goal was scored by former Nottingham Forest and Celtic striker Pierre van Hooijdonk.

Ferguson said: “In a group issue it is vital you win your home games.

“We have done that quite well the last few years. Our home record is good. I saw Fenerbahce against Sparta and it was a good performance.

“We know a bit about their players. They have five Brazilians in their squad and we all know about Van Hooijdonk.”

United will be without Paul Scholes for the match as he is sidelined for two weeks because of a groin injury.