Wayne Rooney to appear as a pundit on BBC’s coverage of Man United vs Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup… as the Red Devils legend outlines his excitement to be involved in the ‘very special’ competition

Man United legend Wayne Rooney will make his FA Cup debut as a pundit on Wednesday night.

Rooney, 38, won the iconic cup competition with the Red Devils in 2015-16 amid a brilliant playing career that ended in 2021.

He has since managed Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City, before Rooney was sacked by the Blues last month after just 84 days in charge, having won two of 15 games.

Since leaving St Andrew’s, Rooney, who scored 23 goals in 49 FA Cup appearances, has been linked with a shock move into influencer boxing, but on Wednesday he will join the BBC’s panel of analysts during their live coverage of the United’s FA Cup fifth round clash. in Nottingham Forest.

Speaking about his new role, Rooney said: “Watching the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup each year was always very special growing up.

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“I am very excited to be joining the team to cover what will undoubtedly be an action-packed tie in this historic competition.

“Having played and managed in the competition, it is fantastic to be on the other side of the camera this time and I hope to bring some of that FA Cup experience to the coverage.”

Rooney, who is United’s all-time record goalscorer with 253 goals in 559 appearances, impressed when he appeared on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football in 2018 while still a player at Everton.

However, it is unclear whether Rooney’s move to the pundit role will be a permanent move, with the 38-year-old recently telling the Stick to Football podcast that he is keen to return to management.

“I think right now I want to focus on getting back to management, not boxing,” he said.

‘They’ve been in contact, Misfits have been all over the news. I want to get back into management, that’s my focus.

“My main goal is to return to football.”

The clash at Forest is a big clash for Erik ten Hag’s side, with the Red Devils reeling from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford.

They face a crucial week, with the game at the City Ground followed by Sunday’s Manchester derby at The Etihad as United look to keep pace in the top four.