You don’t get much for free in this day and age – especially where football is concerned.
But Wayne Rooney, Manchester United and Facebook are teaming up to bring a world first in live streaming football.
The testimonial game between United and Rooney’s former club Everton is set to be streamed live on the social network to 1.9bn people around the world.
It’s the first time ever a game between two Premier League sides has been broadcast live on Facebook.
The game at Old Trafford on Wednesday night will also mark Jose Mourinho’s first home game as new United boss.
Rooney’s testimonial match will be available to watch for free for fans on both the striker’s and Manchester United’s official Facebook pages which boast 100m likes between them.
Mourinho and new Everton manager Ronald Koeman are both expected to name strong sides for the tie which kicks off at 8pm GMT.
It could be the first chance United fans of seeing new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the flesh after his impressive debut goal within four minutes in the 5-2 hammering of Galatasaray in Gothenburg.
Rooney, who is donating all proceeds from the tie to the Wayne Rooney Foundation’s four chosen charities, said:Â “I am delighted that through this agreement with Facebook my testimonial will be streamed globally on both the Wayne Rooney and Manchester United Facebook pages.
“It will be the first time this will have happened and will hopefully raise awareness of the Foundation and increase donations.”
As well as Facebook it is also being shown on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultra HD.
The game will mark Rooney’s 12 years at the Manchester club after he signed from his boyhood side Everton for £30m in 2004.
The England captain has scored 245 goals in 520 games for United.
Want to win a free TV or iPad? Enter the draw to win one by taking part in our #MenUnmasked survey.
My testimonial is against @Everton at OT 3 Aug. All proceeds going to children's charities: https://t.co/a3cVDPXvhg pic.twitter.com/wd3Oc3NHxu
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) July 14, 2016
