A capacity crowd of around 6,000 watched the striker score after 46 minutes of the 2-1 friendly victory at Macclesfield, his backheel from Paul McShane's attempt flying beyond Tommy Lee. Rooney was substituted after 61 minutes and his replacement Frazier Campbell secured the victory after Danny Swailes had equalised.

"All the lads who were at the World Cup have looked good," said Sir Alex Ferguson, who also gave Rio Ferdinand a start. "There were some terrific moments from Wayne and a good goal from the lad."