Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is set to wear the blue of former club Everton during pre-season after agreeing to take part in a testimonial for Toffees hero Duncan Ferguson.
The England national team skipper has not played for the Merseyside outfit in any capacity since his departure in 2004 and often gets a frosty reception at Goodison Park when he visits with the Red Devils for Premier League meetings.
The testimonial is set to take place on August 2 – less than a week before United begin the 2015-16 campaign at home to Tottenham Hotspur – and Rooney has managed to get permission from manager Louis van Gaal to skip the club’s final pre-season preparations and play some part in the special event for his former teammate.
It is understood that the 29-year-old was determined to attend the game regardless if he was allowed to play or not and has revealed his pride at being asked to be involved with such an occasion:
“As a young lad growing up in Croxteth Duncan Ferguson was a hero of mine and as a young player at the club he was an inspiration,” Rooney revealed [via Telegraph Sport].
“When I broke into the first team he helped and looked after me. I can not think of a better way to thank Duncan for all that he did for me than turning out in his fully deserved testimonial match.
“Had he not asked me to play I would have gone and supported him on the day as I’m sure most Evertonians will,” Rooney added.
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