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Derby Manager Wayne Rooney Gives Brutally Honest Post-Match Interview After Salford Defeat

Derby Manager Wayne Rooney Gives Brutally Honest Post-Match Interview After Salford Defeat

"If we can't bring players in over the next two weeks I do not know how we field a team to start the season."

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Derby County manager Wayne Rooney gave a worrying assessment of his club's extreme lack of options in a brutally honest post-match interview following their pre-season defeat to Salford.

With just two weeks to go until their Championship opener against Huddersfield Town, The Rams currently have just nine registered senior players in their depleted squad, two of whom are goalkeepers.

The club are under an EFL transfer embargo that prevents them from making permanent signings from other teams after they failed to submit their financial account from previous years.

But earlier this week, Rooney's side were cleared to sign new players after the EFL altered its rules due to exceptional circumstances caused by the club's coronavirus outbreak last season.

That being said, Derby fielded a weakened side against League Two side Salford on Saturday afternoon, including free agents Ravel Morrison, Sone Aluko and Phil Jagielka, as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the Peninsula Stadium.

Rooney, who has vowed to not walk away from the job, knows the club need to move quickly if they want to compete next season.

"It's other people which I can't control who need to make bigger decisions that I do," Rooney told Sky Sports after their 2-1 loss to Salford.

"All I can do is try to bring some dignity and pride back to this club. It is clear that has gone in the last few years and it is my job to bring that back. I need other people to do their job.

"It's not ideal, it has been very difficult not knowing what my squad will be in two weeks' time when the league starts. However we can, we need to get that sorted."

Image credit: PA
Image credit: PA

The former Manchester United and Everton striker went on to question how Derby will be able to field a team against Huddersfield on August 7 if they don't make moves in the transfer market.

"If I am being honest, it would be easy for a manager in my situation to walk away. It's a challenge for me, I'm a fighter. I am grateful to Derby for giving me this opportunity and I will do everything I can to get the club through this.

"If we can't bring players in over the next two weeks I do not know how we field a team to start the season.

"I haven't got one centre-back signed to the club, there are two very young players in the U23s and U18s. It would be impossible for me to field a team."

Thoughts on Derby County's current situation? Is Wayne Rooney the man to steer the club forward?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports

Topics: Derby County, Football, Manchester United, Wayne Rooney, championship