Rooney agrees to play for Everton in a testimonial for former team-mate Duncan Ferguson

Wayne Rooney to play in Duncan Ferguson testimonial at Everton

Wayne Rooney will pull on an Everton shirt again – for big pal Duncan Ferguson’s testimonial match on August 2.

The Manchester United striker, who infamously revealed a T-shirt bearing the message “Once A Blue Always A Blue” two years before he moved to Old Trafford, will appear as a special guest against Villarreal, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Rooney always declared that Ferguson had been his childhood hero growing up in Croxteth and he said: “I cannot think of a better way to thank Dunc for all 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 am sure most other Evertonians will.”

Ferguson, now a highly regarded coach at Goodison, added: “I’m absolutely delighted that the wee man has agreed to play in the game.

“Everybody knows that we go way back. I knew him as a kid, he’s a top man and I’m proud as his friend that he’s fulfilled the potential we always knew was there."