The game on 3rd August 2016 will mark only the third time that Ronaldo has played at Old Trafford since his world record £80m move to Real Madrid.
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Manchester United will host a testimonial for Wayne Rooney next summer to celebrate the striker’s 12 years at Old Trafford.
The United and England captain has scored just twice in the Premier League this season and made the fewest touches of the ball than any of his teammates during the derby with City.
“But intelligent players adapt and there’s no doubting Rooney has a very good footballing brain”, Xavi explained.
“It is hard to say, obviously, but they are certainly two very good players who have lots of talent and ability”, Rooney told MUTV.
It will be intriguing to see what role Rooney’s former manager Alex Ferguson (below on the day he signed Rooney in 2004) plays in the evening after their much-discussed fall-out, while former players already being contacted about making a return for the match.
“I think they were well-organised – at times we were well organised”.
Rooney became club captain at the start of the 2014/15 season under Louis van Gaal and was soon after named the England skipper too by national team boss Roy Hodgson.
Phil Jones and Daley Blind have played alongside Smalling this season and, with Jones now starting United’s last three games in all competitions, Smalling admits that his relationship with the former Blackburn defender can be key to a successful pairing. “He is an extraordinary player with extraordinary capabilities”, Xavi said.
When the journalist who asked the question responded that the reason for his enquiry was Rooney’s status as a “top player”, the Dutchman remained unimpressed.
Van Gaal again chose Rooney to play as centre-forward and Anthony Martial along the left, despite the latter’s consistently impressive form. “They are also disappointed, like me, because you have to win against these kind of teams, also for the fans, but the way we have played gives hope for the future”.
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Viv Anderson has tipped Wayne Rooney to recapture his form and insisted he has nothing to prove. “But if you do, it will ultimately improve you”, the midfielder added.
