Wayne Rooney to don Everton blue again - 11 years after acrimonious Manchester United move

The Manchester United and England star is turning out for the Toffees in Duncan Ferguson's testimonial at Goodison Park on Sunday

Fresh-faced: Rooney at Everton more than a decade ago

Wayne Rooney will pull on the beloved blue shirt of Everton for the first time in 11 years – and hope the Goodison fans can finally forgive him for joining Manchester United.

Rooney has agreed to play for the Toffees in Duncan Ferguson’s testimonial match against Villarreal on August 2.

And that means playing in front of supporters who have hounded him mercilessly for leaving the club he supported as a boy to join United for £25million in 2004.

The abuse affected the England captain to such an extent that Sir Alex Ferguson once admitted he was tempted to leave Rooney out of his team whenever United travelled to Goodison.

Hero: Rooney idolised Duncan Ferguson when he was growing up

Rooney said: “As a young lad, Duncan Ferguson was a hero of mine.

“As a young player at the club he was an inspiration and when I broke into the first team he helped and looked after me.

“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.”