Wayne Rooney to make Old Trafford return in debut for Man United legends - and a host of other former stars are also set to feature

  • Wayne Rooney left Man United back in 2017, re-joining boyhood club Everton 
  • He joins an illustrious list of former United stars who are set to don the Red Shirt
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Wayne Rooney is set to make his Old Trafford return for the first time since 2017, with the Plymouth Argyle manager in line to represent Manchester United's legends team against Celtic on September 7.

The former England striker's last competitive appearance for the Red Devils came during the 2017 Europa League final, where the Red Devils beat Ajax 2-0.

He would leave that summer to return to his boyhood club, Everton, returning to Old Trafford with the Toffees later that October - in what was the last time he would walk out at the 'Theatre of Dreams' for a competitive football match.


Having initially joined United from Everton in 2004, the Merseyside-born striker established himself as one of the Premier League's and Man United's greatest-ever strikers, going on to overtake Sir Bobby Chartlon as the Red Devils's top all-time goal scorer, with 253 goals in 559 appearances.

The 38-year-old will join an illustrious list of former United stars who are set to don the Red Shirt once again for the upcoming Legends match against Celtic.

Wayne Rooney is set to make his Old Trafford return for the first time since his final competitive appearance at the iconic stadium since 2017

Wayne Rooney is set to make his Old Trafford return for the first time since his final competitive appearance at the iconic stadium since 2017

Rooney is United's all-time leading goal scorer, having surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton to score 253 goals in 559 appearances

Rooney is United's all-time leading goal scorer, having surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton to score 253 goals in 559 appearances

The 38-year-old made his final competitive appearance at Old Trafford in 2017, playing for Everton against the Red Devils

The 38-year-old made his final competitive appearance at Old Trafford in 2017, playing for Everton against the Red Devils

United have announced that Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia also set to feature. 

The club also revealed in July that Darren Fletcher, Anders Lindegaard and Wes Brown will also return to play at Old Trafford, with the Legends side set to be managed by Bryan Robson.

'I'm very excited about it,' Lindegaard said. 'It's such a great honour for me, and everyone playing in these games, and I'm very excited to come back. Once you've played for Manchester United, you always miss it a little bit, so to feel part of the club again - even for a day - is special.

'I have really fond memories of supporting the Foundation, when the team attended Christmas hospital visits and also the Dream Days that we used to go to at Carrington.'

Scholes scored 153 goals across 713 appearances for Man United across all competitions
Berbatov joined United from Tottenham in 2008 and went on to score 56 goals in 149 appearances

He'll join an illustrious list of former players returning for the match including Paul Scholes (left) and Dimitar Berbatov (right)

United's current first team coaches, Darren Fletcher, is also set to feature during the legends match

United's current first team coaches, Darren Fletcher, is also set to feature during the legends match

Following spells with DC United and Derby County, Rooney would retire in 2021, and step into management - working as Derby's boss before returning to DC United in 2022.

He would later endure a dismal 15-game spell as Birmingham City boss, with his side losing nine games, winning just two, before he parted company with the Blues - who would later be relegated to League One.

That would not deter him from management, with the five-time Premier League player being appointed as Plymouth boss earlier this year.

Life at the south coast side has been a mixed bag for the Merseyside man so far, with Rooney having lost his opening game in charge against Sheffield Wednesday 4-0, before his side bounced back to claim a 3-0 victory against Cheltenham in the Carabao Cup. Last weekend, Plymouth were held to a 1-1 draw against Hull City after urging his side to put 4-0 drubbing against Wednesday behind them.

Rooney joined United back in 2004, signing from his boyhood club Everton for £27million

Rooney joined United back in 2004, signing from his boyhood club Everton for £27million

The former striker has recently taken charge of Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle

The former striker has recently taken charge of Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle  

While Rooney is a boyhood Everton fan, he will no doubt be relishing the chance to play against Celtic - having previously admitted that his family have always supported the Scottish Premiership club.

'My family and I have always followed Celtic since I was a boy anyway,' he said following an international game against Scotland at Celtic Park back in 2013.

'My kids have all got Celtic kits and I always look out for the scores.'