Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warns of Wayne Rooney threat ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup tie with Derby

Striker netted record 253 goals during spell at Premier League club

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is wary of the threat Wayne Rooney poses to Manchester United’s FA Cup hopes as the Derby forward looks to prove there is “still fight in an old dog”.

United, on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions, head to Pride Park on Thursday night for a fifth-round tie that will pit them against a familiar face.

Rooney scored a club-record 253 goals across 559 appearances during a trophy-laden time at United between 2004 and 2017, before returning to boyhood club Everton. A spell with MLS outfit DC United followed.

The 34-year-old returned to home soil to join Derby as player-coach at the end of last year and is now preparing to line up against his former club.

“He gave absolutely everything for this club and we all appreciate that,” Solskjaer said.

“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.

“At the latter end when he played in midfield, you can see he’s got Scholesy-like passing range.”

Solskjaer praised former team-mate Rooney’s personality as well as his on-field performance, revealing that he was the favourite player of his son Noah.​

“He’s still very welcome, he’s still around the place, he still comes to Old Trafford.

“He will get a good reception from our away fans in that game definitely.”

United are set to be without Daniel James again due to a knock, while Solskjaer says Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a doubt for the Derby match and will undergo a test on Wednesday.

Marcus Rashford remains out with a back injury and Paul Pogba will miss the FA Cup fixture and the weekend clash with rivals Manchester City as the midfielder steps up his return from an ankle issue.

“Paul’s still working with the physios outside,” Solskjaer said.

“He won’t be training with the first team until next week, so then let’s see how long that will take. But he’ll need some time to train, to get his football fitness back.”​