Manchester United star Wayne Rooney 'to face former club Everton in testimonial game'

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney will reportedly face his former club Everton in his testimonial game before the start of the next Premier League season. The 30-year-old striker was awarded the game in October last year by the Old Trafford club to mark 12 years at United.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has apparently given the green light for Rooney to face his former club in the game, which is to take place just a week before the start of the 2016-17 Premier League season, according to the Daily Mail. Proceeds from the game are to go towards the Wayne Rooney Foundation, which distributes the cash to a number of carefully selected organisations including the NSPCC, Alder Hey Hospital and Clare House Hospice, as well as the Manchester United Foundation.

"I would like to thank everyone involved in making this testimonial become a reality," the United captain said when he was awarded the testimonial game in October. "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 night will obviously 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 very close to my heart for different reasons."

Rooney became England's all-time leading goalscorer last year, and he is currently seven goals away from matching Sir Bobby Charlton's record for Manchester United. The record-breaking star joined United shortly after he excelled for his country in the Euro 2004 contest at the age of 18.