What Man United legend Rooney said about Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi still lacks the "extra bit of quality" needed at the highest level.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that Rooney commented after the Nigerian fired blanks in Sunday's 1-0 FA Cup loss to Manchester United.

Awoniyi played from start to finish but failed to capitalise on some decent openings against the Red Devils in the Emirates FA fifth round clash.

Following his performance against his former club, England legend Rooney feels the 26-year-old must improve his finishing if he is to succeed at a higher level.

"As a forward, if you put yourself in the middle of the goal you will get chances," Rooney said on BBC Sport punditry duty per Nottingham Post.

"He needs to take a little bit more care and perhaps make the extra pass but he will get better opportunities. He has to be ready when those chances come, if he progresses to a bigger club, he will have to be taking those chances."

Awoniyi caused problems all game but couldn't find the net as Casemiro's late winner sent United through to the last eight.

"Awoniyi causes problems all game but he just needs that extra bit of finesse, to find the corner," Rooney added.

"It’s like he’s just swinging at it all of the time and that extra bit of quality is just not quite there."

The former Liverpool man was making just his seventh appearance since suffering a bad injury that ruled him out of Nigeria’s successful outing at the AFCON 2023.

However, Awoniyi started on the bench against Liverpool on Saturday, coming on to play for just 25 minutes in another 1-0 defeat, Forest's third loss in a row.