Will Rooney get his testimonial dream?

Manchester United have announced that Wayne Rooney has been granted a testimonial match with the proceeds being split between four charities.

Given the choice there is little doubt that the England skipper would want to see Celtic back at Old Trafford with Rooney making no secret of his love for the hoops.

As a teenager at Everton he would regularly join Alan Stubbs in a trip up the M74 while in 2006 he watched from the Broomloan Road stand as Roy Keane mastered Rangers (IL) during a 1-0 win for Gordon Strachan’s champions elect.

Celtic have been regular guests at Old Trafford down the years with Bobby Charlton, Lou Macari, Bryan Robson and Ryan Giggs all honoured by a testimonial match against the hoops. In 2006 Celtic took 25,000 fans down for Roy Keane’s Testimonial with the Irishman playing 45 minutes for each side.

Pulling on a Celtic shirt would have enormous appeal for Rooney but European commitments could make it difficult for Celtic to be in Manchester on August 3.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in making this testimonial become a reality,” Rooney told the Manchester United website. “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.”

Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice chairman, added: “I am delighted that United fans will be able to celebrate Wayne’s amazing years at the club in this way. From his sensational debut hat-trick to the latest of his 236 goals, 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, the Champions League and League Cup, to his five Premier League titles.

“Wayne has selected good causes very close to his heart and the club is delighted to play its part, in providing Old Trafford as a fitting stage for such a game.”