Rooney relishing Toffees test

Wayne Rooney is looking forward to meeting his former employers, and boyhood heroes, Everton this weekend. The Manchester United striker will have the Toffees in his sights on Sunday during an FA Cup semi-final showdown at Wembley. Rooney was an ardent Everton supporter as a boy and fulfilled a childhood dream when he exploded onto the first-team scene as a precociously talented teenager. A big money move to United in 2004 soured his relationship with the Goodison Park faithful, but there is a part of the 23-year-old which will forever be blue. "It still means something that it is Everton," said the England international. "It is the team I grew up supporting. "It makes it a big day for me, although the most important thing is for United to reach the final." Rooney has already missed out on one cup final this season, a Carling Cup success over Tottenham, and he is desperate to ensure that he gets his opportunity to shine on the biggest stage this time around. "Everton are an honest side," he added. "They work hard for each other and will be trying to make it difficult for us. "But I missed the Carling Cup final when we last got to Wembley, so hopefully I will be part of the team that gets us to another on Sunday." As the 2008/09 campaign begins to draw to a close, big games are coming thick and fast for quintuple-chasing United. That is fine by Rooney, though, with the fiery frontman also excited by a forthcoming UEFA Champions League semi-final contest with Premier League rivals Arsenal. "Arsenal is a mouth-watering prospect," he said. "The only other English team we have played in this competition so far is Chelsea in last year's final. "It should be an exciting couple of games because they like to play good football."

Source: SKY_Sports