Wayne Rooney named in starting XI for Derby County’s clash with Barnsley and handed captain’s armband on his debut as former Manchester United and England striker makes return to English football
- Wayne Rooney will make his Derby County debut as captain on Thursday night
- Derby boss Philip Cocu will hope Rooney can rescue side after their poor start
- The club go into the game down in 17th place in the Championship table
Wayne Rooney has been named in Derby County’s starting XI and handed the captain’s armband for Thursday’s clash with Barnsley.
Derby boss Philip Cocu had hinted Rooney would make his debut as a substitute but has thrown him straight into the action in a bid to revive his struggling side.
Rooney is tasked with injecting new life into a Derby team sat in 17th place in the Championship table ahead of the game.
Wayne Rooney has been named in Derby County’s starting XI for their clash with Barnsley
The 34-year-old has also been handed the captain’s armband for his Rams debut
Rooney has been given the No 32 shirt as part of agreement with shirt sponsor 32 Red
And he achieved that early doors as he provided an assist from a free-kick to put Derby ahead before the half-time break.
The Rams were beaten 2-1 by Charlton on Monday and are without a win since beating Preston North End 1-0 on November 23 – a run spanning eight games.
Rooney was used as a midfielder by Cocu, where he played regularly during his final seasons at Manchester United.
It was revealed back in August that Rooney would join the Rams in January as a player-coach on an initial 18-month deal.
Derby had bumper crowd as supporters flock to watch Rooney’s first game
Rooney was used as a midfielder by Cocu for his first appearance for Derby County
Rooney is tasked with breathing new life into a Derby side sat in 17th place in Championship
Rooney still had more than two seasons remaining on his contract at DC United but cited a desire to be closer to his family back in England.
The 34-year-old enjoyed a successful period in the MLS, scoring 23 goals in 41 league games for the Washington-based club.
Prior to his move to America, Rooney spent 13 years at Manchester United between 2004 and 2017, where he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 253 goals.
Rooney also achieved the same feat for England, scoring 53 goals in 120 appearances for the Three Lions before retiring from international football in November 2018.
Rooney scored 23 goals in 41 games for DC United prior to his move to Derby County
The former Manchester United striker has signed an 18-month deal at Pride Park
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