Odion Ighalo has revealed that Wayne Rooney is one of his footballing idols ahead of Manchester United's Emirates FA Cup clash against Derby County on Thursday night.

Rooney, who returned to England in the winter transfer market after one and a half years at American outfit DC United, is the top scorer in history for Manchester United and England, netting 253 and 53 goals respectively.

Ighalo has hailed the Derby County captain for being competitive as well as his goalscoring attributes.

"Wayne Rooney is always an idol, like many players at United," Ighalo told United's official webpage.

"He’s a good guy. He is a fighter on the pitch, he fights until the end, from the start until the finish. He’s somebody I’ve seen that never gives up in the game, and he’s a good goalscorer."

"A little chance, a little space, he’s going to score. He can shoot from outside, he can score in the box, he can score from anywhere."

"He’s a great player. Good techniques, he has a good shot, good runs and, when Derby County have Wayne Rooney in their team, it gives them more confidence because he has done a lot in football and in England."

Signed from Shanghai Shenhua on loan in the January transfer window, Ighalo has scored one goal in five appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions and will be hoping to debut for the club in the FA Cup tonight.

Igho Kingsley