Manchester United and Everton played out a goalless draw in a game which never came to life but at least raised a healthy amount of money for children's charities.
They can in their thousands to salute their hero, maybe even millions if the 'live' Facebook audience are included, and the object of this mass adulation, Wayne Rooney of Manchester United and England fame.
Rooney arrived at Old Trafford in 2004 for a reported £26m from Everton and has since gone on to make 525 appearances for the Red Devils scoring 245 goals along the way, winning five Premier League titles.
The game at Old Trafford, between Rooney's only two professional clubs, marks his 12 years' service at United and whilst we are all familiar with the number ten on his shirt he actually started out with eight before reverting to the latter in 2007.
The aim of the testimonial, traditionally held after a player had spent 10 years at a club and was therefore likely to be coming to the end of their career, was to raise some money for them for life after retirement from the pitch, but with Premiership contracts making players financially secure from very early in their careers the focus has now switched to philanthropic endeavours.
In Rooney's case proceeds from the game will be distributed, via his Foundation, to four chosen children's charities. It is interesting to think how many of the fans who contribute either through attending the game or donating online would have such warm memories of their hero if we rewound to 2013 when he had a spectacular fall-out with then boss Sir Alex Ferguson who suggested the England captain was agitating for a move away from Old Trafford.
Certainly, for a time, the fans were less than sympathetic to Rooney and only after some intensive PR work and the signing of a new deal followed by the usual platitudes of never wanting to leave was the former Everton player accepted back into the Theatre of Dreams fold. Even so there are still a fair amount of supporters who are a best lukewarm towards the player after this incident.
The other draw tonight was clearly the opportunity to see first home appearances for new boss Jose Mourinho's three summer signings; Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The latter was on the subs bench for the start of the game but made the second half whilst the other two made their Old Trafford debuts from the start.
And let's not forget the couple of hundred Everton supporters who made the short trip down the East Lancs Road to see their team's pre-season preparations continue. Ironically whilst United fans looked for their new signings the Goodison contingent could well have been seeing the final games for two of their players. Defender John Stones is on Man City's radar and Romelu Lukaku could well return to Chelsea before the new campaign begins.
The fact that both managers, Ronald Koeman and Jose Mourinho stood inside their technical areas looking remarkably passive, hands in pockets, arms folded, at what they were seeing gives some indication of the type of game on show.
United dominated in the first half but chances were few and far between, Ibrahimovic came the closest for the hosts with his languid skills twice testing Toffees keeper MaartenStekelenburg, whilst for the visitors Lukaku had a free header which he directed wide.
The usual plethora of substitutes took place at the break and throughout the second half with Everton's Kevin Mirallas lashing a shot wide from a good position. Perhaps the most interesting change was Rooney being replaced to great applause after 52 minutes with bright prospect Marcus Rashford. Old Trafford's past being replaced with Old Trafford's future perhaps?
The game stuttered towards its conclusion with one worry for Everton being substitute Muhamed Besic who went down injured and immediately signalled for assistance before limping off.
This game was all about Wayne Rooney's Testimonial first, match fitness second with a result the least of the manager's ambitions. Certainly as many of the crowd began to leave in the closing minutes you felt they had made a sound choice for a game which rarely hit the heights and was frequently tedious.
Full Time
Man Utd 0
Everton 0
