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Wayne Rooney booked a dream FA Cup reunion with Manchester United after Derby cruised past Northampton.<\/p>\nWayne Rooney booked a dream FA Cup reunion with Manchester United after Derby cruised past Northampton.<\/p>\n
The striker scored from the spot to cap the Rams\u2019 4-2 fourth-round replay win over the Cobblers on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
They will now host 12-time winners United in the fifth round next month.<\/p>\n
Andre Wisdom\u2019s first goal in almost eight years and strikes from Duane Holmes and Jack Marriott helped send the hosts through.<\/p>\n
Nicky Adams\u2019 goal threatened to haul Northampton, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, back into the tie while Sam Hoskins scored a late penalty.<\/p>\n
Rooney, the Red Devils\u2019 record scorer, returned to English football this season after 18 months with DC United.<\/p>\n
He will now face United next month for the third time since leaving Old Trafford for Everton in 2017.<\/p>\n
It was ultimately a routine win for Phillip Cocu\u2019s side at Pride Park following their 0-0 draw in the first tie last month.<\/p>\n
Chris Lines and Marriott traded half chances before Derby took control and should have opened the scoring after 20 minutes.<\/p>\n
Rooney\u2019s fine pass set Marriott away and before the striker was crowded out he slipped in Martin.<\/p>\n
The striker looked certain to score after wrong-footing David Cornell but Michael Harriman\u2019s last-ditch tackle kept the Sky Bet League Two Cobblers level.<\/p>\n
Cornell foiled Marriott soon after but the hosts finally opened the scoring after 28 minutes.<\/p>\n
Rooney\u2019s near-post corner was headed into the air by Lines and, when Cornell failed to punch clear, Wisdom hooked in from close range.<\/p>\n
It was the defender\u2019s first goal since he scored on his Liverpool debut against Young Boys in the Europa League in September 2012.<\/p>\n
Seven minutes later it was 2-0 when Scott Malone\u2019s inch-perfect pass allowed Holmes to run clear and find the bottom corner.<\/p>\n
But less then 90 seconds after the re-start the visitors pulled a goal back, Adams converting Paul Anderson\u2019s cross from close range.<\/p>\n
Any nerves were eased just four minutes later, though, as the Rams restored their two-goal advantage.<\/p>\n
Holmes broke and found Martin to stand up a cross for Marriott whose header just beat Cornell before Malone made sure.<\/p>\n
Marriott then twice went close but Rooney wrapped up victory in the 77th minute.<\/p>\n
Tom Lawrence was fouled by Scott Wharton in the box and the former England skipper buried a low penalty.<\/p>\n
Northampton still had time for a spot kick of their own when Andy Williams was fouled by Curtis Davies and Hoskins \u2013 who also forced Kelle Roos into a fine late save \u2013 made it 4-2 with six minutes left.<\/p>\n