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Duncan Ferguson has labelled Wayne Rooney “one of us” and hopes the former Everton striker receives a warm reception when he returns to Goodison on Sunday.

The Everton hero asked Manchester United captain Rooney, a former team-mate and close friend, to play in his testimonial against Villarreal, which will be the first time he has worn an Everton shirt in 11 years.

Rooney left the Toffees under a cloud in 2004 after putting in a transfer request, with the Blues eventually accepting £26m for the gifted academy graduate.

His subsequent returns to Goodison for the Red Devils prompted a volatile reaction from the home crowd, although that noticeably softened in recent seasons.

And Ferguson hopes that Rooney, who has raised his two sons as Evertonians, is given a good reception against the La Liga outfit.

He said: “I hope he gets a good reception. It was a long time ago and, as far as I’m concerned, he is one of us and I’m sure he’ll get a good reception.

“The Everton fans have their own feelings and so I’m not going to tell them how to react but I’m sure they’ll react in a passionate way.

“Wayne was brilliant when I asked him. He was absolutely delighted, he was very happy to appear in the game.

“Me and Wayne go way back, and he’s been different class to be honest.”

Ferguson admitted his regret at not being able to play alongside Rooney more often in the period the two were at the club together.

“I was probably injured, that’s why I didn’t play with him more often,” joked the former Scotland international.

“Wayne was a tremendous player and the few games we did play together, we did well. But it would’ve been a dream to have played alongside him more.”

Rooney was given permission to play on Sunday by United boss Louis Van Gaal, who was philosophical about allowing his star player to risk injury appearing for another Premier League club.

It was a gesture not lost on Ferguson. “I would also like to mention that Louis Van Gaal has been absolutely fantastic with us, he’s given us great support and all credit for Manchester United for allowing this to happen,” he said.