Pride Park set for more cup action as Rooney prepares to meet former team

Derby County host Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup with Wayne Rooney sure to be the main talking point as the Englishman faces up against his former United teammates.

Last time out in the Championship for Derby, they were able to dispatch Sheffield Wednesday, who were elimanted by Manchester City in the FA Cup. Two goal in the first half from Tom Lawrence alongside a Jason Knight finish saw Derby cruise to a 3-1 win despite Josh Windass’ late goal for the Owls.

In the FA Cup fourth round, a 0-0 scoreline against Northampton at the PTS Stadium saw a replay played at Pride Park. The Rams emerged 4-2 victors with Andre Wisdom, Duane Holmes, Wayne Rooney and Jack Marriott all grabbing a goal each.

Manchester United controversially drew against Everton their last Premier League fixture. A silly mistake from David de Gea saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin slot the ball away to make it 1-0. Bruno Fernandes brought the game back to one apiece. Calvert-Lewin’s late finish was ruled out by VAR due to Gylfi Sigurdsson in De Gea’s line of view despite the appeals of everyone in blue inside Goodison.

United comfortably dispatched Tranmere Rovers in the fourth round of the FA Cup. A 6-0 victory for the Red Devils saw six different goalscorers. Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood scored the goals for United.

Team news

Derby teenagers Louie Sibley and Morgan Whittaker are in the squad but the Rams remain without midfielder Tom Huddlestone who is sidelined with a calf injury.

United could be without winger Daniel James, who missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Everton with a knock, and full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has a back problem.

Midfielder Paul Pogba and forward Marcus Rashford remain on the sidelines.

Derby County manager Phillip Cocu spoke about the intelligence and the leadership qualities that Wayne Rooney brings to the table.

“He knows the game so well, he’s intelligent on the pitch, and he’s gone on to lead like he did in his final years at United.

“As one of the older ones in the dressing room with me, he definitely took that role on. Therefore it wouldn’t surprise me if he stayed in the game for a long time.

“He was just an incredible talent when he came through, almost freakish in the way he could deal with things and his mentality was incredible.”

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke about ex-United player and now Derby County player Wayne Rooney and what he gave to United and his current work ethic.

“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. He doesn’t want to score too many of them.

“He’s a threat, in and around the box, set plays, and of course this game Wayne will show what he can do and he wants to prove that there’s still fight in an old dog.

“We’ve got to be on our toes, don’t give him any space in and around the box or in midfield.”

Head-to-head

Derby have lost their past eight FA Cup ties against Manchester United, most recently in the third round in 2018. The last time they beat the Red Devils in the competition was in the quarter-finals of the 1896-97 campaign. Manchester United were eliminated by Derby the last time the sides met in any competition, with the Rams winning a penalty shootout in last season’s Carabao Cup.

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