Wayne Rooney pays tribute to Chicharito after Manchester United beat Marseille 2-1 in Champions League first knockout round tie

UEFA Champions League : Javier Hernandez; Wayne Rooney, Manchester United v Marseille

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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admitted he is enjoying his new partnership with striker Javier Hernandez after the Mexican fired the Red Devils into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a brace against Marseille.

Hernandez was the hero for the home side, scoring both goals to secure the win, despite a late own goal by Wes Brown which set up a nervy finish at Old Trafford.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game the England international admitted his side were thrilled to pass a tough examination from the French champions.

“We are delighted to reach the quarter-finals,” he explained.

“It was a difficult game, we knew they were a physical team and they have got power so thankfully we have got through and we just deserved it.

“They got out wide, and put some good balls in the box and made it difficult, but we defended well in the end and managed to get the win we needed.”

The England international also paid tribute to strike partner Hernandez, who now has 16 goals in his debut season in England.

“He Hernandez has got great movement, so I’m sort of playing in the position I played when I first started playing professionally.

“I’m enjoying it, getting on the ball, linking the play and thankfully he’s a finisher so that helps the team.

“It’s not often as a forward you get chance to get on the ball and enjoy the game, linking the play and so on but I did that tonight.”

Rooney also insisted he was not afraid of any of the other teams left in the Champions League and is confident United can progress no matter who they are paired with in Friday’s draw.

“Our game plan was to attack them first half and try get about them and try and get a goal, two goals up and we managed that,” he said.

“So we knew it would settle down second half and they would come back into the game. I thought we were unfortunate to concede the own goal but we managed to hold on in the end.

“I think if you want to win this tournament you want to play anyone and beat them, we are thankful we are in the next round and whoever we get we’ll be confident.”