Rooney gets home and away support despite loss against former side

Manchester United’s fans celebrated a comfortable win before turning their focus to Wayne Rooney, a great unable to halt his former side. 

Wayne Rooney’s hopes of a dream reunion lasted a little more than half an hour on Thursday as Manchester United visited their record goalscorer’s new employers. 

Rooney was one of the only shining lights in a dull performance by the home side, who couldn’t manage to score against the Red Devils. Rooney was center stage in an otherwise youthful Derby County team for the FA Cup fifth-round tie. 

He was seen dictating  play from deep in the midfield, a role that made him go face-to-face against Bruno Fernandes, United’s latest super signing. 

The former England captain, after crashing into Scott Mctominay by the corner flag early on, provided the youth side a platform to turn the game in an energetic display. 

It goes without saying that Rooney was once renowned for in United red. While Rooney kept passes ticking over, as Derby held their own, he even tested Sergio Romero with a low free-kick. 

The 34-year-old is still waiting for the first goal against United in seven attempts as an opposition player but has been booked in four out of his five starts in such clashes. 

The Derby captain was sharp and made some key passes that saw Martyn Waghorn and Jack Marriott go close. Rooney had vowed to celebrate if he scored against his former club. 

However, Romero came with a fabulous save again over a stoppage-time free-kick. Rooney did receive a warm reception from the super enthusiastic traveling United fans. 

Eliminated from the FA Cup, the Old Trafford favorite can at least now revert to his role as a supporter, no doubt desperate to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer maintain the surge towards Wembley, claiming again the trophy Rooney lifted as captain in 2016.

featured image credits-  stuff.co.nz