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"He wants to prove there is still fight in an old dog" | Solskjaer on Rooney

Daniel James will miss Manchester United's FA Cup tie against Derby County on Thursday as Ole Gunnar...


Sport

"He wants to prove there is still fight in an old dog" | Solskjaer on Rooney


Daniel James will miss Manchester United's FA Cup tie against Derby County on Thursday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prepares to cross paths with Wayne Rooney.

United travel to Pride Park for the last-16 encounter and Rooney will captain the Rams against a United side managed by his former team-mate.

James picked up a knock against Club Brugge last week and won't be involved, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is an injury doubt.

Former United great Rooney is now 34 years-old and player-coach at Championship club Derby.

Solskjaer says the away fans will pay the striker due respect:

"He's the club's top scorer, he won so many trophies. He's still very welcome, he's still around the place, he still comes to Old Trafford. He gave absolutely everything for this club and we all appreciate that, but any goal he scores against us will be chalked off his goal tally!"

The Norwegian is wary Rooney may have a big moment up his sleeve: 

"He's a threat, in and around the box, set plays, and of course, this game, Wayne will show what he can do.

He wants to prove there is still fight in an old dog. We have got to be on our toes, don't give him any space in or around the box or in midfield, because at the latter end of his career at United when he played in midfield, he had Paul Scholes' like passing range."

Rooney has found the net 4 times in 14 appearances for Derby this season.

During his 13 year spell at Manchester United between 2004 and 2017, he scored 253 goals in 559 appearances.



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