Wayne Rooney is to be honoured by Manchester United with a testimonial next summer.

The Reds skipper has been awarded a benefit match as recognition of what will be 12 years at the club.

The showpiece came about after fans and supporters wrote to United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward asking for his service to be recognised.

And a host of star names are expected to turn out for the game at Old Trafford on August 3 next year.

It will feature a United XI against an as yet unnamed opposition.

Rooney, who turned 30 on Friday, has set up his own charity - the Wayne Rooney Foundation - to collect the proceeds and distribute them to a number of good causes.

Alder Hey Children’s hospital in his hometown of Liverpool, Claire House Hospice on the Wirral, and the Reds’ charity arm The Manchester United foundation at the NSPCC will be among those to benefit.

A committee has been formed, chaired by businessman Rob Cotton, to oversee it with Triple S Sports Entertainment, the management company behind Rooney since 2008 and the organisers of both Soccer Aid and Rugby Aid, laying the event on and selling tickets.

Rooney joined United from Everton for £25.6 million winning nine major trophies including five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.

He has scored 236 goals and is closing in on Bobby Charlton's record of 249, to overtake him as the club's highest ever scorer.

However his relationship with the fans has strained at times, particularly after he sensationally asked to leave in 2010 before performing a U-turn.

And he has been criticised for his performances as the club’s central striker so far this season.

However he says he is delighted to have been awarded the match and thanked fans for their support.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in making this testimonial become a reality.

“Most of all I want to thank the fans for all their incredible support for me and the team since I joined the club.

“The match night will obviously be special for me and my family but I hope it will be a night of celebration for all involved and that we can also deliver one or two surprises.

“Most of all I hope the fans will come out in force and help raise as much money as possible for these amazing charities, all of which are very close to my heart for different reasons.”

The last United player to get a testimonial was Rio Ferdinand whose 12 years at the club were marked with a match against Sevilla at Old Trafford in 2013.

Ed Woodward said: “I am delighted that United fans will be able to celebrate Wayne’s amazing years at the club in this way.

“From his sensational debut hat-trick to the latest of his 236 goals, he has been a central figure in what has been one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, winning everything from the Club World Cup, through to the Champions League and League Cup to his five Premier League titles.

“Wayne has selected good causes very close to his heart and the club is delighted to play its part, in providing Old Trafford as a fitting stage for such a game.”

Rob Cotton, chair of the testimonial committee said: “I will never forget the incredible excitement felt by all Man Utd fans in August 2004, knowing we had just signed the most exciting English prospect of his generation.

“Even by the standards of Manchester United, Wayne’s debut in the red shirt a few weeks later – playing in the Champions League for the first time in his life - was the stuff of legends.

“His hat trick against Fenerbahce that evening marked the start of something truly special.

“We have watched as the goals have flowed ever since with Wayne globally recognised becoming the greatest English player of his generation.”