- Wayne Rooney has been out of work since being sacked by Birmingham City
- Rooney will be a pundit for Man United’s FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest
- IAN LADYMAN: Why Cristiano Ronaldo looked stunned after it all got heated one night in Barcelona – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Man United legend Wayne Rooney is set to make his FA Cup debut as a pundit on Wednesday evening.
Rooney, 38, won the iconic cup competition with the Red Devils in 2015-16 amid a glittering playing career that ended in 2021.
He has since managed Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City, before Rooney was dismissed by the Blues last month after after just 84 days in charge, having won two out of 15 games.
Since leaving St Andrew’s, Rooney – who scored 23 goals in 49 FA Cup appearances – has been linked with a shock switch into influencer boxing, but on Wednesday he will join the panel of BBC analysts during their live coverage of United’s fifth round FA Cup clash at Nottingham Forest.
Speaking about his new role, Rooney said: ‘Watching the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup every year was always very special growing up.
Wayne Rooney is set to make his FA Cup debut as a pundit for the BBC on Wednesday evening
Rooney scored 23 goals in 49 FA Cup appearances and won the competition in 2015-16
Rooney will feature as part of the BBC’s team for United’s FA Cup clash at Nottingham Forest
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‘I’m so excited to be joining up with the team to cover what will undoubtedly be an action-packed tie in this historic competition.
‘Having played and managed in the competition, it’s great be on the other side of the camera this time and hopefully I can 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 appearing on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football in 2018 when he was still a player at Everton.
However, it is unclear whether Rooney’s move to punditry will be a permanent switch, with the 38-year-old recently telling the Stick to Football podcast that he is keen to return to management.
‘I think at the minute I want to focus on getting back into management, not boxing,’ he said.
‘They’ve been in touch, Misfits have been all over the news. I want to get back into management, that’s my focus.
‘My main focus is getting back into football.’
Rooney outlined his desire to return to management when appearing on Stick to Football
The clash at Forest is hugely important for Erik ten Hag’s side after their 2-1 defeat by Fulham
The clash at Forest is a huge clash for Erik ten Hag’s side, with the Red Devils reeling following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Fulham at Old Trafford.
They face a crunch week, with the match at the City Ground followed by Sunday’s Manchester derby at The Etihad as United look to keep pace with the top four.
