Derby boss Wayne Rooney has revealed former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been mentoring him.

Rooney has Derby well placed to beat the drop in the Championship despite a deduction of 12 points.

"Fergie's man-management was by the far the best. Of course you need relationships with players, but you also need that authority," Rooney told the Athletic

"Tactically, (Louis) Van Gaal was very good, but he was too honest, if you like. He'd speak to an 18-year-old the same way you'd talk to a 35-year-old.

"It's about getting that balance right and letting the young lads play without fear.

"I've spoken to Van Gaal, to Moyesy [David Moyes], to Alex Ferguson. Not so much for advice, more for a bit of feedback.

"It's hard for them to give advice because when you're where this club is, in administration, it's very different from a normal manager's job. We've got staff losing jobs.

"We're in a transfer window where, if things aren't sorted, other teams can pick off our players."