What did Rooney make of the FA Cup draw?
Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United will be even more determined to go all the way in this season's Emirates FA Cup with a quarter-final tie against Liverpool now on the agenda.
Our record goalscorer was at The City Ground for United's late victory over Nottingham Forest in a working capacity, taking on punditry duties as the game was broadcast live on BBC One in the UK.
The quarter-final draw had already been made prior to kick-off between Forest and United, meaning the winner of our tie would be pitted against one of Liverpool or Southampton in the last eight - and, sure enough, it's the fierce north-west rivalry which is set to be played out next month.
United will welcome Jurgen Klopp's team to Old Trafford for the quarter-final on the weekend of 16/17 March, as we seek to better last season's run in this competition, when we fell at the final hurdle to Manchester City.
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Rooney - who was captain when United last won the trophy, back in 2016 - believes having an additional date in the diary with our north-west rivals will be an opportunity for Ten Hag's men to show what they can do.
"That's a great motivation for this Manchester United team," our former striker said, discussing the draw with BBC colleagues Gary Lineker and Jermaine Jenas.
"To play Liverpool at any time is a big occasion, of course, but to play them in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup is a big opportunity for them to make a statement and try and go one better than they have done last season."
United made it to the last eight thanks to a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the fifth round on Thursday evening, sealed by an 89th-minute Casemiro header.
The victory was just the response Ten Hag and his players would have wanted, following defeat to Fulham in the Premier League last weekend. We've now won seven of our nine games in 2024 so far, with Rooney recognising the improvement in form this calendar year.
"A lot is made of Ten Hag and his position at the club because of the new owners coming in," he continued.
"I think he has been doing OK and we are starting to see more consistency. Today's result was massive in terms of staying in the cup."
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There was much to admire about United's winning goal in Rooney's eyes, too.
"It’s a great ball [from Fernandes]. The amount of times you’ll see that and just see the goalkeeper pick it up, but Casemiro makes it a great ball with his determination and willingness to get across the front post and get that little nick on it.
"He deserves that goal for just putting himself in there and being ready."