Rooney wants to play Everton in testimonial

WAYNE ROONEY has been handed a testimonial by Manchester United in recognition of 12 years at Old Trafford and wants the game to be against his old club Everton.

The United captain has announced that every penny of the millions of pounds he hopes to raise by playing a game next August will be donated to one of four nominated charities.

And Sportsmail understands that the Liverpudlian hopes the game — which will form of part of United’s pre- season — will be given extra profile if he can persuade Everton to be the opposition.

Other clubs are in the frame, too, with European giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich on the list of possible opponents.

However a game against Everton, the club with which he has had such a love-hate relationship since his move to United in 2004, would attract interest for all kinds of reasons. Rooney announced details of the game last night and revealed that he does not intend to take a penny from it. The four charities that will benefit are the NSPCC, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Claire House Children’s Hospice and the Manchester United Foundation.

Rooney (below) said: ‘I would like to thank everyone involved in making this testimonial become a reality. Most of all I want to thank the fans for all their incredible support for me and the team since I joined the club.

‘The match will be special for me and my family but I hope it will be a night of celebration for all involved and that we can also deliver one or two surprises.

‘Most of all I hope the fans will come out in force and help raise as much money as possible for these amazing charities, all of which are close to my heart.’

It is understood Rooney will invite former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford to play and David Moyes, his boss at Everton and United, may manage one of the teams.

Rooney’s current form has been patchy and he contributed another uncertain display during a drab Manchester derby, a day after his 30th birthday.

However, the striker is England’s record scorer with 50 goals and has scored 236 times for United, needing one more to equal Denis Law as the club’s second highest scorer.

United chief executive Ed Woodward said: ‘I am delighted that United fans will be able to celebrate Wayne’s amazing years at the club in this way.

‘He has been a central figure in what has been one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, winning everything from the Club World Cup, through the Champions League and League Cup to his five Pre

mier League titles.’