Derby County player-coach Wayne Rooney admits former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was always gunning for Nani.

Rooney will face his former team while playing for Derby County in the FA Cup fifth round tonight, with United's all-time top goalscorer sure to get a huge reception from the travelling Red Devils supporters.

Recalling his time playing for Ferguson, Rooney told the Daily Mail: "He would have a good at me for dribbling.

"I very rarely dribble... well, I dribbled a bit more then... but (with) Nani, it would just maybe trigger something in (his) head, thinking, 'Oh maybe I shouldn't dribble as much'.

"He knew how to get that message across without being... without losing it. If he spoke to Nani the way he spoke to me, he'd break down in tears. He wouldn't be able to go back out!"