IT’S FRIENDS ROO-UNITED
Wayne’s not the only one licking lips at Cup clash with Red Devils.. two young Derby team-mates are United fans
WAYNE ROONEY can’t wait for Thursday’s FA Cup showdown with his old club Manchester United – but it’s the same for Derby rookies Max Bird and Jason Knight.
The two Academy products both supported United as kids, and now that they have broken into the Rams’ first team, they hope to play in the tasty fifth-round clash at
Pride Park.
Knight, 19, has 22 senior games under his belt and the Irish Under-21 midfielder scored Derby’s third goal as they steamrollered Sheffield Wednesday.
He said: “Thursday’s game is such a big occasion – and me and Max both want to be a part of it, alongside Wayne.
“We have both supported United, and in front of a full house at Pride Park it will be special.
“I hope to be in the team, and after our convincing win, we can go into the game with confidence.
“My favourite Manchester United team was the 2008-09 side that won the Champions League.
“But the present squad is making its mark again. It will be great night.”
Whether the Owls are looking forward to their Cup meeting with
Manchester City on Wednesday quite so much is doubtful.
They went three down in the opening half an hour thanks to Tom Lawrence’s brace and Knight’s strike.
Owls boss Garry Monk said: “Forget Manchester City. We were extremely poor. This is the worst time in my career, but it’s my job to turn it round.”
He sympathised with fans who chanted, ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ after Derby’s third goal.
Monk pointed to a better second half, but admitted: “It was too little, too late.” Although Lawrence took man-ofthe-match honours, Rooney (left) played a captain’s role in Derby’s triumph.
Boss Phillip Cocu said: “At the moment, Wayne’s best position is deeper in midfield, though he can play at No.10, of course. But with him and Max having such a great connection, they can always find a way out.
“United are a strong team but we will have a full stadium. You have to approach every game positively with a belief that you can win it. If we put on a good performance maybe it is possible. The way we played at Sheffield we are looking forward to it.”