Rooney will miss the Manchester derby FA Cup semi-final as he serves the second game of a two-match ban incurred for his four-letter outburst into a television camera at West Ham a fortnight ago. The 25-year-old has already apologised for his actions and tried to explain why he reacted as he did. However, he must now accept his fate, which means watching his team-mates trying to secure an FA Cup final berth on his behalf by beating Manchester City. "As most footballers will tell you, it's probably more nerve-racking watching a game than it is playing in it," he said. "It's always disappointing when you don't play in games, especially such a big one as it is on Saturday. "But I believe we have got a good chance of winning and I am hoping the boys can pull through and get us to the final." Rooney was speaking at the launch of the new £11million Bristol Audi centre on Thursday evening. Doubtless, it was an engagement he would have preferred not to attend given his presence was only possible due to his inactivity at the weekend. Rooney is one of those with a keen interest to win the FA Cup as it is a competition he has never previously gone all the way in before, coming off a loser against Arsenal in 2004 and Chelsea three years later. However, as he looks around the United dressing room, he seeks inspiration from a couple of team-mates who command respect through their very presence. "I've been lucky enough to play with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and you cannot put it into words how well they have done," said Rooney. "You see Giggs winning games for us at his age. It shows why he is such a big idol for us all in the dressing room, especially the younger players, who can see how he handles himself. "We all hope that when we come to the end of our careers we can have nearly as much success as him."
