Wayne Rooney relishing Manchester United's tough cup run

Wayne Rooney is relishing Manchester United's tough run.

After beating Manchester City and Arsenal in their last two away games, United head to Liverpool on Saturday for an FA Cup fourth-round tie.

It is the first of two meetings with the Merseyside giants, whom they also face at Old Trafford in the Premier League on February 11, a fixture that is sandwiched between trips to Chelsea and Tottenham.

However, far from being daunted by the demand of such high-profile fixtures, Rooney is confident it will bring out the best in his team-mates.

"They are all difficult games but these are the matches you want to play in," he said.

"The next three or four weeks will be exciting.

"We understand and know what we have to do and I always feel we are at our best around now because we can see the end of the season and that there are trophies there to be won."

And it seems Patrice Evra will not be spared the trial of playing at Anfield this weekend.

Saturday's game will be the first time they have faced their old rivals since Evra levelled racism allegations at Luis Suarez that ended with the Uruguay forward landing an eight-match ban.

Suarez will still be suspended for the FA Cup tie, a fact that is only likely to heighten the normal antagonism for United from the Kop.

Earlier this season, Sir Alex Ferguson left Rooney out of his starting line-up to face Liverpool due to the adverse reaction the striker receives in his home city, whilst last season, the United boss did not even take his star forward to former club Everton.

However, it seems Evra, likely to continue as captain in the absence of Nemanja Vidic with a season-ending injury, will be involved.

"It wouldn't be a consideration," said assistant manager Mike Phelan, when asked by BBC Radio Manchester whether United had thought about leaving Evra out.

"Patrice Evra is a football player, who plays for Manchester United.

"If he is fit he is considered to play like any other player.

"What has happened has happened. What has been said has been said.

PA