Wayne Rooney is England's and Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer, and the greatest player from the last decade to play for his country, but all he is thinking about is Barnsley.

Rooney is counting down the days until he can finally make his return to English football, after signing an 18-month deal with Derby County. That date of January 2 cannot come quickly enough.

The latest chapter in a decorated career takes him to the Championship, where he will combine roles as a player-coach, and he is determined to eventually follow in the footsteps of former team-mates Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard by going into management.

But, for now, Rooney is fully focused on extending his playing career at the age of 34 and helping fire Derby towards a promotion challenge under Dutch legend Phillip Cocu.

“I can’t wait to get going. It’s a bit frustrating doing the training through the week and not being able to play,” he said on Friday.

“I feel physically good even though I'm not the player I was in my 20s. It’s a bit different now, I need my coffee in the morning. The minute my body says I can’t do it, I will stop playing.