Wayne Rooney still can't believe the embarrassing thing he did on his Derby County debut | OneFootball

The former Rams boss and player has revealed what embarrassed him on his debut for Derby in 2020.

It's been over six years since Derby County confirmed the signing of Wayne Rooney from DC United, shocking the footballing world as the Manchester United and England legend prepared for his first ever taste of the Championship.

The now retired striker had been playing his football in the MLS in the US capital in the years prior, but in August 2019 a press conference was called by former Rams owner Mel Morris at Pride Park to announce the arrival of his new superstar.

Rooney would not play for the club until January 2020 as he saw out the season with DC United, although he did make a visit to watch his new side play in the autumn. However, when the time came, it was quite the moment for the Championship outfit and the impact that their new captain had on the team was clear to see.

Yet, there is a moment that the ex-Birmingham City boss would go on to regret, and while it was not a moment that Derby fans will not remember even seeing, it's one that is seemingly living in the head of the 40-year-old all these years later.

Wayne Rooney still regrets one bizarre moment on his Derby County debut

Rooney's debut for the Rams came against Barnsley at Pride Park, and it was a game that ended incredibly positively as Phillip Cocu's side won 2-1 against the Tykes and continued in their pursuit of the play-offs after a difficult start to the campaign.

Yet, Derby's former number 32 has spoken out about a pre-game moment that he regrets. Talking about pre-game huddles on The Wayne Rooney Show, he said: "Roy Hodgson brought them in with England and I always thought, 'what's the point?' What is the point? Because you've said what you need to say in the dressing room. You know, I've been in some huddles where you've all come in and someone tells a joke."

He then revealed that in the MLS he would have to put his hands into the middle and lift it up with his teammates: "When I was at DC United, I was captain. So before the game, it's like tradition over there on three you're saying something, whatever. I can't remember what it was. It was embarrassing.

"My first game for Derby, I was captain. Everyone's come in and I've done it. I always remember Andre Wisdom just looking at me, thinking 'What are you doing?' But I must have just been used to doing it at DC."

Wayne Rooney's first season at Derby County was excellent

After waiting several months for his Rams debut, it was a moment worth waiting for as Rooney picked up an assist in the 2-1 win over Barnsley. It would not be long before he scored his first goal in black-and-white, as he netted an excellent curled effort against Luton Town.

A few days later, he made it two goals in two games. A stunning free kick against Stoke City at Pride Park helped Derby to an excellent 4-0 victory and showed to the rest of the division their play-off ambitions.

Rooney found the back of the net three more times in 2019/20, with his final strike coming from distance against Preston North End as he fired in a free kick from distance to secure a 1-0 away win.

His time at Derby will always be remembered for the role he played during administration as the club's head coach, but it is clear to see that Rooney still has plenty of memories from his playing days - even is some are still slightly embarrassing.