Duncan Ferguson has hailed Wayne Rooney as the best player in the history of the Premier League era.

Rooney has been a wonderful servant for Manchester United since joining the club from Everton back in 2004 and the striker is set to be honoured on Wednesday in a testimonial clash between the Red Devils and the Toffees.

Ahead of the game, former Everton striker Ferguson has been full of praise for the England skipper, suggesting that his former teammate is the best player to have graced the pitches of England during the Premier League era.

The Scotsman said in the match day programme for the testimonial: "Wayne Rooney is a lovely man, a family man.

"He's a totally trustworthy man, a great professional and, for me, he's been the best player we've ever had in the Premier League.

"I stayed behind after training one day to have a look. Wayne was a substitute and came on and within ten minutes he had scored two goals.

"I knew straight away there was something special about him. He had a great desire to get on the ball, he had great feet and he could finish. He also had the physicality and, of course, the talent. He was also fast and powerful so even at that age you could see he had everything you need to be a top, top player.

"He was the best 16-year old footballer I had ever seen and still is, by the way. He would just get on the ball and run past people for fun. He was a tough kid from a tough area, but with a great sense of community. He had natural toughness and aggression and was made for the big stage."