Shay Given, Derby county goalkeeper coach feels Wayne Rooney might respect Manchester United as he faces his former club in a Derby County shirt this week – but believes he will celebrate if he scores.
Wayne Rooney who is now the captain of the Derby County was a United legend and the club’s record goalscorer, as well as England’s, but this time he will try to knock down his former club out the FA Cup when they visit Pride Park on Thursday for a fifth-round tie
The clash won’t is a career first for the striker-cum-midfielder-cum-coach, who has played against the Red Devils seven times previously, though his record is not good, with zero wins and zero goals scored. It will also be the third time he’s faced Man United since he left Old Trafford in 2017.
Rooney, now aged 34, will be facing an important test for the former England captain, but since he has played a crucial role after joining the Rams in January as a player-coach in a deep-lying midfield role, the player looks quite in a good form.
Statistically, He has four goals and two assists in 14 appearances for the Championship side, both receiving as a free-kick and penalty duty hence it implies there would be opportunities for him to find the nets.
In a recent interaction with talk SPORT, Derby County goalkeeper coach Shay Given stated Rooney will give his all to help put the Rams into the quarter-finals of the cup.
“We’re looking forward to Thursday,” the Irishman told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“It’s a huge game for everyone at Pride Park, and it’s a sell-out so it’ll be a fantastic night. And Wayne, he’s with us on Thursday so hopefully, he can do some magic against Manchester United. He’s looking forward to the game – he’s really looking forward to playing against his old team.
“It’s like the stars have aligned. It’s crazy to think he only came in January, the draw was made for the FA Cup and with all the teams that are left in we got Manchester United – it’s a bit of a fairytale, really. He’s got great history at Manchester United, of course, but for the 90 minutes or 120 minutes I’m sure he’ll want to get Derby through to the next round.”
When asked if Rooney who recently made his 500th appearance in English league football – will celebrate if he scores his first-ever goal against United, Given said:
“I think he probably will. Wayne is one of those people who just loved playing football and loves scoring goals and I think he will. I’m sure he will have some respect for his old club but in the heat of the moment…
“I never really understand players who don’t celebrate, because even when I played outfield and scored in training I would do a little knee slide, just because when the ball hits the back of the net it’s a special feeling.”
