Wayne Rooney awarded Man Utd testimonial in 2016

Posted Tuesday, October 27, 2015 by BBC.com

Wayne Rooney has been granted a testimonial by Manchester United, with the England captain promising to donate all proceeds from the match to charity.

The testimonial was granted after fans wrote to the club asking them to recognise Rooney's contribution.

It will be at Old Trafford on 3 August 2016, with opponents to be decided.

"The match night will obviously be special for me and my family but I hope that we can also deliver one or two surprises," said Rooney.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: "From his sensational debut hat-trick to the latest of his 236 goals, Wayne has been a central figure in what has been one of the most successful periods in the club's history."

Proceeds from the testimonial will be distributed to several children's charities through the specifically created Wayne Rooney Foundation.

The news comes as Rooney, who celebrated his 30th birthday on 24 October, comes under increasing scrutiny over his recent performances.

After the goalless draw with Manchester City on Sunday, United manager Louis van Gaal said he was "sick" of answering questions about the player, who he appointed captain at the start of the 2014-15 season.

Rooney has scored two Premier League goals in nine appearances this season, although he did net a hat-trick in the Champions League qualifier with FC Bruges in August.

Those goals are part of an overall tally of 236 since his arrival from Everton for £27m in 2004. Only Sir Bobby Charlton (249) and Denis Law (237) have scored more times for the club.

While Rooney is seven appearances away from becoming the 10th player to reach 500 for United, with a medal haul that includes five Premier League titles and a Champions League, he has not won the affection of the United support in the same way as Ryan Giggs, David Beckham or even Cristiano Ronaldo - whose stay at Old Trafford was much shorter.

Rooney issued a statement in 2010 declaring his intention to leave United and almost departed in 2013 after falling out with then manager Sir Alex Ferguson.