Rooney: It was tough

14/04/2007 20:06,
Report by Nick Coppack

Rooney: It was tough

Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Wayne Rooney's performance against Watford was the striker's best of the season, but the Reds' No.8 refused to dwell on his own form in United's convincing 4-1 win.

Rooney struck twice to send the Reds to Wembley and proved too hot for the Hornets' defence to handle.

"It was a big game today and Watford made it tough for us," Rooney said. "We were looking to have a quick start and we managed that with the early goal [Rooney's first, on seven minutes]. I scored a few goals playing from out wide so I'm sure that's where I'll probably play in the next game."

The Reds scored 11 goals in just two games this week but Rooney was quick to point out Saturday's FA Cup victory wasn't as easy as it looked.

"They're a physical team and we knew at some point in the game we'd have to defend. I think up until 1-1 and just after half-time we had to battle and we did that well.

"Watford put us under pressure with some long balls and long throw-ins, so we were delighted to get the second goal and go into half-time 2-1 up. [My second goal] killed the game off. Alan Smith played a great ball into me and I couldn't miss from there."

Kieran Richardson's late strike sealed the win and booked United a spot at this season's FA Cup final.

"That's what you play for, to be in cup finals and to win trophies," Rooney, who was on the losing team when the Reds fell to Arsenal in 2005, said. "We're delighted we're into one cup final. Hopefully we can go far in the other competitions. We're scoring freely at the minute and we're looking to continue that."