The Ecuador winger's substitute appearance during Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup triumph over Arsenal was his first since sustaining a serious ankle injury against Rangers in September.Valencia was a major source of goals for Rooney last term but without him, the England star had managed just eight before Saturday's win at Old Trafford.
Although Valencia was only a bit-part player against the Gunners, the pair were on the field together for less than five minutes before the 25-year-old added a ninth.
"I can't tell you how good it is to see him back out there," Rooney said. "It was Antonio's first game back after six months out and he looked like he'd never been away.
"It's fantastic for him and fantastic for us to have him back and playing the way he did."
Great History
Given the gashed leg Nani suffered at Liverpool will keep him out of Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Marseille, if not the Premier League duel against fellow semi-finalists Bolton next weekend, more is likely to be required of Valencia at Old Trafford this week.Meanwhile Rooney has explained why he is so "desperate" to win the FA Cup this season.
One of his first memories of supporting Everton was heading to Wembley to watch the Toffees overcome United in 1995.
He has had two opportunities to replicate that success as a player, tasting defeat to Arsenal in 2005 and Chelsea two years later in the first final at the new Wembley.
A semi-final defeat to Everton two years after that twisted the knife a little further, so when Rooney heads south in mid-April, he is determined not to end up a loser.
"I am desperate to win the FA Cup," he said. "It's got great history and I remember watching it as a young kid.
"To lose two finals was devastating so it's a great chance now for us to go on and win it this season."
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