The Nigerian believes our all-time leading goalscorer, who joined the Championship side in January, has boosted the Rams with his experience and fighting qualities.
And Ighalo has warned the Reds that Philip Cocu’s outfit will go into tonight’s game with a renewed sense of belief, thanks, in part, to Rooney’s exemplary record in front of goal.
“Wayne Rooney is always an idol, like many players at United,” Ighalo told us in an interview at Old Trafford earlier this week.
“He’s a good guy. He is a fighter on the pitch, he fights until the end, from the start until the finish.