Wayne Rooney appears to bid farewell to Man Utd fans in Michael Carrick's testimonial

WAYNE ROONEY made what looks likely to be his last appearance in a Manchester United shirt in Michael Carrick’s testimonial at Old Trafford yesterday.

Posted Monday, June 05, 2017 by Express.co.uk

But their former team-mate Ryan Giggs believes veteran midfielder Carrick can still anchor Jose Mourinho's side next season after being awarded a new one-year contract.

An amazing crowd of over 70,000 helped Carrick's charity foundation raise over £1million as United's 2008 line-up drew 2-2 with an All-Star team.

Carrick, who invited victims' families and 300 rescue workers from last month's Manchester Arena terrorist attack to the game, capped a memorable day by scoring a late equaliser.

And Rooney appeared to linger as he walked down the tunnel at the end of the game, possibly the last time he will be seen in United colours after a disappointing season under Mourinho.

Wayne Rooney appeared to linger as he walked down the Old Trafford tunnel

However, Giggs believes that, in contrast, the 35-year-old Carrick still has a key role to play at Old Trafford.

"Michael makes players around him play better," said Giggs. "He's got that calming influence that you can see on and off the pitch, it's a pleasure to play with him.

"When you play with players, you want to trust them when they have the ball and Michael is one of those players.

"When he is on the pitch, you can trust him. He always makes the right decision."

The bumper crowd saw heightened security at Old Trafford in the light of recent events, with numerous heavily-armed police an obvious addition to proceedings.

And, given Carrick's touching gesture towards some of those involved at Manchester Arena and an impeccably-observed minute's silence, the game had an added emotional clout.

"The game had extra significance after what has happened in the light of what happened last week," said Carrick. "I can't thank everyone enough from the players to the staff to the fans to everyone. There has been so much help and support. I am so proud of everything that we have achieved.

"Everyone deserves a break now because especially in the last week with moving the kick off time and a lot of changes having to be made it was quite a stressful week but in the end we have made it.

"It was a success and better than I could have hoped for. I am delighted.

"I can switch off now. I can totally switch off now when I go away with the family.

"I will probably throw my phone in the sea so I don't have to answer any more calls or emails and just get my head together again and be ready again to be back for pre-season and do it all over again."

The United 2008 side twice came back from a goal down to clinch a draw. Nemanja Vidic's first half header cancelled out Gaizka Mendieta's opener before Carrick's 82nd minute blast levelled Robbie Keane's second goal for the All-Stars.