WONDER OF ROO

Ex-United coach: Wayne’s shown true grit sticking it out... he could have left crisis club Rams ages ago

WAYNE ROONEY faces his former club Manchester United today as a Derby County manager who has been thrust through the emotional wringer.

Last-gasp Championship survival, two failed takeovers and the threat of starting the new season in League One for alleged financial fair play breaches have been part of Wayne’s mad world.

As the club where he became their all-time top scorer arrive at Pride Park for a prestigious friendly, life for the ex-England star has not improved greatly.

He is still restricted to only being able to bring in loan players or Phil Jagielka, Richard Stearman and Ravel Morrison, who are free agents.

Eric Steele knows what makes Rooney tick, having seen him at close quarters at United during his time as Sir Alex Ferguson’s goalkeeping coach and as an expert pundit for

Radio Derby. Steele (below) believes it is to Rooney’s great credit that he has not walked away.

“He has just been fast-tracked for the UEFA A licence,” Steele said.

“All credit to him because he did that during his summer break.

“That showed his determination.

“He has also been involved in trying to find a new buyer for the club through his contacts in the USA after playing out there.

“No one would have blamed him if he had walked away – but he has stuck to the task.”

After initially joining the Rams as a player, the idea was for the much-acclaimed striker to slowly learn the coaching and managerial ropes alongside experienced Dutchman Phillip Cocu.

Steele added: “It all went wrong with Cocu and Wayne was suddenly thrust into the job earlier than expected in terms of his planning.

“It’s been a tough, tough job when you consider what he has been through.

“He had seen the squad as a player for over a year.

“He saw that it needed an injection of better players. He then also lost the influential Polish international Krystian Bielik to a cruciate knee injury and that was a major blow.

“Then Wayne retires from playing so the team loses a major on-field influence.

“He had to then build a relationship with Steve

McClaren, who has come in as technical director, and he also has to forge an understanding with his coaching staff.”

Derby only maintained their Championship status on the last day of the season and a transfer embargo will remain in place until the EFL are satisfied after an inspection of the club’s accounts.

Steele added: “Wayne was scratching around, trying to sign five loan players because of the embargo at the end of January.

“Now, he’s having to do the same again.

“Remember, 12 players have gone out through the door from last season, with the loanees having also returned to their clubs.

“He is left with the best of the young players who came through last season, having had a tough time and a smattering of experienced players.

“It’s desperate times.

“I know, from my Manchester United days, give him a football and he will train all day.

“He is obsessed with the game and that’s probably one of the reasons he has stuck it out at Derby.

“I’m certain that he has been taking advice from Sir Alex Ferguson.

“But, in the end, you realise that you can’t achieve anything without the players.”

FIGHTER: Rooney has kept going in tough times at Derby