Derby vs Manchester United: Will Wayne Rooney join list of former players to haunt the Red Devils?

Wayne Rooney says he will celebrate should he score against former club Manchester United on Thursday night.

The 34-year-old - playing for new club Derby County – will put emotional ties to one side as the Rams bid for a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Asked whether he would celebrate by Wes Brown for Manchester United’s official website, Rooney had a clear message.

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “My time at Manchester United, I loved every minute of it. I am a Derby County player now and I want to win with Derby County.

“For that 90 minutes, or 120 minutes, obviously I want Manchester United to lose.”

It certainly would be some story if a former United player came back to haunt them. However, it would not be the first time.

Below are three times where Manchester United were rocked by a former player:

Danny Welbeck | 2015

Danny Welbeck immediately came back to haunt United (via Getty Images)

Danny Welbeck scored 29 goals in 142 appearances in an injury-plagued 13-year United career and made a move to Arsenal in 2014.

The striker came back to haunt his former club however, scoring the winner at Old Trafford to send Arsenal to the FA Cup semi-final in 2015. Ironically, Arsenal went on to lift the trophy that year.

Cristiano Ronaldo | 2013

Ronaldo won the Ballon d'Or playing for United in 2008 (Getty Images)

Here’s one that has to hurt. Cristiano Ronaldo – arguably the greatest player to ever play for the club – also came back to haunt his former employers.

Ronaldo left for Madrid for a world record transfer fee in 2009, returning four years later to face United in a Champions League last-16 tie. Typically, Ronaldo scored in both legs as United were dumped out.

Denis Law | 1974

Law didn't celebrate after his infamous goal against United(Getty Images)

What a story we have here - one that everyone knows, but not everyone gets right. The infamous Denis Law – who scored 129 goals in 209 United appearances – made his mark against his former side in the most dramatic of ways – for Manchester City.

Yes, he scored the goal that sent United down in 1974 … kind of. The truth is that Law scored an 81^st-minute goal that was actually inconsequential in sending United down – but it was a United hero, scoring for rivals Manchester City as they were relegated. Ouch.

The only question that now remains is will Rooney join this illustrious list?